
Jaipuri Subz Seekh
Rich vegetarian skewers made from mashed colocasia root, paneer, and khoya, seasoned with aromatic spices and grilled until lightly charred.
Potli whole spices
6 gTied into muslin and boiled with the colocasia (step 1)Ground masala
19 gMixed into the mashed skewer base (step 3)Everything else
Method
- Wrap the potli whole spices in a piece of muslin and tie it tightly with kitchen twine. Bring a pan of water to a boil, drop in 500 g colocasia and the spice pouch, and simmer until the colocasia is thoroughly tender.
- Drain the contents of the pan, throw away the spice pouch, and let the colocasia cool. Peel the skin away and mash the flesh until smooth.
- Transfer the mashed colocasia to a mixing bowl along with 150 g paneer, 125 g khoya, 12 g ginger, 6.6 g green chilli, 0.3 g fenugreek, 1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds, 2 tablespoon mint, 1 teaspoon black rock salt, the ground masala, and salt to taste. Mash everything together using a potato masher into a cohesive mixture.
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and shape them into round balls.
- Fire up a charcoal grill or preheat an oven grill (broiler) to medium heat. Wet your hands slightly, press the balls onto metal skewers, and mould each into a smooth cylinder roughly 10 cm (4 inches) long.
- Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally until nicely browned on all sides.
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Colocasia

PotatoUse the same weight. Peel, cut into similar pieces and parboil for 5 minutes before adding; it cooks faster than colocasia, so add later and simmer 10–15 minutes. The dish will be less sticky and nutty.
Sweet potatoUse the same weight. Peel and cut into chunks; it softens faster and turns sweeter, so reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes and adjust sugar or tamarind if the recipe has any.
Indian yamUse the same weight. Peel, cut into pieces and cook 5–10 minutes longer than colocasia; it holds its shape well but is less slippery.

Ground dried pomegranate seed

Dried pomegranate seedsGrind the same weight fresh; this is effectively the same spice.
Ground pomegranateUse the same weight; it is the same souring spice.
Dried mango powderUse 50–70% of the weight; it gives a clean mango sourness but less fruity bitterness.

Paneer

Extra-firm tofuUse equal weight, pressed well to remove excess moisture and cut into cubes. Pan-fry lightly before adding; absorbs sauces similarly, though it lacks dairy sweetness.
HalloumiUse equal weight, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes to leach out excess salt. Holds shape during frying, but has a denser, saltier chew.

Khoya

Whole milkUse 4 times the weight of milk; simmer and stir continuously in a wide heavy pan until reduced to a dense, fudgy paste.
PaneerUse equal weight of finely crumbled or grated paneer mixed with 15% single cream; gives similar body but a less caramelised, milk-solid flavour.
Single creamSimmer gently until heavily reduced, or stir in directly at 70% weight; produces rich gravies without the granular bite of khoya.

Ground dried fenugreek leaf

Dried fenugreek leafUse the same weight and crush finely; it is virtually the same.
Dried fenugreek leavesUse the same weight and crush finely; it is slightly stronger in aroma.
Ground dried fenugreek leavesUse the same weight; this is the same herb.

Ginger

Fresh gingerUse equal weight; scrape off the skin and grate or finely julienne according to the recipe.
Ginger pasteUse equal weight; stir straight into the sizzling aromatics, taking care as the extra moisture may spit.
Ground gingerUse 15 to 20% of the weight; add alongside ground spices, noting it imparts warm, dry heat rather than zesty freshness.

Mint leaf

Mint leavesUse the same weight; identical herb, just the plural listing.
Dried mintUse 25% of the fresh weight, about 1 g dried for 4 g fresh; crush between fingers. Flavour is stronger and slightly hay-like.
Coriander leafUse the same weight; it gives a fresh green note but not true mint flavour.

Green chilli

Chilli powderUse 10 to 15% of the weight (about 1/4 teaspoon per chilli); imparts dry pungent heat and reddens the dish without the grassy crunch.
Dried red chilliUse 1 dried pod per fresh green chilli; snap in half and temper in hot oil for a deeper, toastier heat.

Clove

Ground clovesUse 1 g ground for 4 g whole (or 1 small pinch per 2 to 3 whole cloves). Add with spice powders; disperses intense warmth quickly, so use with restraint.
Allspice berriesUse 100% of the weight whole in tempering. Imparts a warm, clove-like aromatic profile combined with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Black cardamom podUse 1 pod for 3 to 4 cloves in whole tempering. Shares a camphor-like warmth and medicinal depth, though it introduces a distinct smoky undertone.

Black cardamom pod

Ground black cardamomUse 0.5 g of ground seeds for each whole pod. Stir directly into the curry base; delivers identical smoky flavour without woody husks.
Green cardamom podUse equal pod count or weight. Crack slightly and fry whole; tastes sweet, menthol-fresh, and floral rather than dark and smoky.

Green cardamom pod

Green cardamom seedUse 35 to 40% of the total pod weight; lightly bruise the seeds before frying in oil to release their essential oils.
Ground green cardamomUse 20 to 25% of the pod weight (about 1 generous pinch per pod); stir in toward the end of cooking so the delicate floral notes do not dissipate.
White cardamom podUse 1:1 by pod count or weight; crack gently before using, though it is slightly less intensely floral.

Nutmeg

Ground nutmegUse equal weight, or roughly 1/2 teaspoon for half a whole nutmeg. Stir in near the end of cooking as pre-ground loses aroma quickly.
Mace bladeUse about 70% of the weight, finely ground. Mace comes from the same fruit and provides a very similar but slightly lighter, more floral warmth.
Ground maceUse equal weight. Delivers a slightly sharper, more delicate sweetness to rich kormas and biryanis.

Amchoor

Lemon juiceUse 15 g (1 tbsp) for every 5 g of amchoor. Stir in at the very end off the heat; adds liquid and fresh citrus aroma rather than dry fruity tang.
Tamarind extractUse 75% of the weight, dissolved in a splash of warm water. Simmer briefly; darkens the gravy and provides a deeper, caramelised sourness.

Ground green cardamom

Green cardamom seedGrind freshly extracted inner black seeds finely; use equal weight (1:1). Greatly superior aroma with potent eucalyptus and citrus notes.
Green cardamom podLightly crack whole pods and simmer them in the gravy; use 150% of the weight of ground cardamom. Fish out the pods before serving.
Ground nutmegUse 50% of the weight. Delivers warm, sweet aroma, but lacks cardamom's cooling, citrusy top notes.

Ground black pepper

Black peppercornUse 1:1 by weight; pulverise in a spice mill or mortar to a fine powder for immediate, punchy heat.
Coarsely ground black pepperUse equal weight; offers the same bite, though it gives a visibly speckled finish and firmer crunch.

Ground mace

Mace bladeGrind dried blades finely in a spice mill; use equal weight (1:1). Provides an identical, freshly aromatic, sweet-musky profile.
Ground nutmegUse 75% to 80% of the weight. Derived from the seed of the same tree, it shares the flavour profile but is heavier, sweeter, and more pungent.
Ground cinnamon (cassia)Use 50% of the weight. Adds warming sweetness, but lacks mace's savoury, elegant floral notes.

Ground cumin

Cumin seedDry-roast briefly and grind finely; use equal weight (1:1). Imparts an even punchier, nuttier, toasty aroma than pre-ground cumin.
Ground corianderUse equal weight (1:1). Adds mild, lemony sweetness rather than cumin's smoky, earthy bite; curries will taste lighter and less savoury.
Black cumin seedsGrind finely; use 60% to 75% of the weight. Produces a darker, more complex, smoky-herbal flavour suited to rich gravies.
Similar dishes

- Same: Both skewers share a rich base of mashed colocasia, paneer, and khoya seasoned with amchoor, ginger, cumin, cloves, and cardamoms.
- Different: Subz ke Kakori adds almonds and dried plums, uses significantly more green chillies, and omits black rock salt.

- Same: Subz Seekh shares a paneer base, seekh-style grilling, and seasonings like amchoor, ginger, green cardamom, black pepper, and mace.
- Different: Subz Seekh relies on potatoes, dried plums, and almonds roasted with vegetable oil, lacking the khoya, colocasia, clove, nutmeg, and cumin used in this dish.

- Same: Malai Kofta shares paneer, khoya, and warm spices such as green cardamom, black cardamom, clove, and mace with this dish.
- Different: Malai Kofta adds clotted cream, cashews, raisins, chickpea flour, tomato, cashew paste, and vegetable stock, and it is fried and simmered in gravy, while this dish uses colocasia, amchoor, pomegranate seed, mint, fenugreek leaf, and black rock salt and is grilled as skewers.

- Same: Paneer Jaipuri and this dish both use paneer and warm aromatic spices such as green cardamom, clove, and mace.
- Different: Paneer Jaipuri is a yogurt-and-cashew curry with onion, saffron, vegetable stock, cream, and ghee or oil, while this dish is a grilled skewer mix of mashed colocasia, paneer, and khoya with amchoor, pomegranate seed, mint, fenugreek leaf, and black rock salt.





































