Soy Tandoori Curry : Soy Nuggets marinated and then cooked in a curry
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I use a lot of Soy nuggets in cooking. Soy nuggets are dried nuggets made with soy and when rehydrated are spongy in texture. The chewy and soft spongy texture is perfect for absorbing all kinds of flavors when marinated. This was the first time, I experimented the soy chunks with marination and can’t tell you how glad I am that I did :). Just out of this world.
I believe that there are other recipes with such name but I promise this was my experiment in the kitchen. And till late I thought it was my invention till somebody said that they make it often, naive me :)..lol! Here, I resonate with my “original” thought again that “what exactly is original these days?” Sigh ….ha never mind. Great minds can think alike…right ? 🙂
I am bringing this dish for all my readers on blog as well as on my Facebook to enjoy over the weekend with some delicious Naan or some Pulav/Pilaf. I just realized that I haven’t posted a simple vegetable pilaf yet. That’s the next on my “to post” list for sure.
This is a little long recipe but not complicated at all. I am going to break this recipe in steps for convenience. Let’s get straight to the recipe now. Are you ready?
Soy Tandoori Curry
Ingredients :
Soy Nuggets, dry : 1 cup approximately
Oil : 1&1/2 tbsp
Onion : 1/2 cup chopped in small squares
Bell pepper/Capsicum : 1/2 cup chopped in small squares
Tomato Onion Paste : 3 tbsp. I normally make a good batch and store in fridge for use as required.
Red chili powder : 1/4 tsp or to taste
Garam Masala : 1&1/2 tsp or to taste. You may use curry powder in absence of garam masala. For recipe, click here
Kasuri Methi : 1 tsp crushed, optional
Salt to taste
Marinade
Marinade Ingredients :
Yogurt : 1/4 cup, thick and low fat preferred or you may use any that is handy.
Tandoori Masala : 1&1/2 tsp heap full or as per taste. It is spicier than curry masala. Here is Namrata’s recipe for Tandoori Masala. I use MDH or Shaan brand. Or you may use Garam Masala instead.
Ginger : 1&1/2 tsp grated
Garlic : 1&1/2 tsp grated
Salt : 1/2 tsp
Method :
Soaking and Marinating the Soy Nuggets :
1. Soak the dry soy nuggets in warm water for 1/2 an hour.
2. Prepare the marinade by combining all the marinade Ingredients together and mix them well.
3. Drain the soy nuggets from water. They must have doubled by now in size and must have become soft and spongy in texture.
4. Add the drained soy nuggets to the prepared marinade. Mix well so that the marinade covers the nuggets. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 2 odd hours.
Preparing the Tomato Onion Paste and Assembling the other ingredients :
1. Meanwhile you can prepare the Tomato onion paste as given in the link above. You can prepare it in good quantity and use in different curries. It is a basic curry paste use in lot of dishes.
2. If you plan to make the home made spice mixes for Tandoori and Garam Masala, then prep for that. It won’t take more than 15 odd minutes.
Preparing the Curry :
1. Once the soy nuggets are marinated for 2 odd hours, start the process.
2. Heat the oil in a broad pan. Add onions and bell peppers to the hot oil and sauté for 5 minutes on medium flame. The onions will be soft and pink.
3. Add the Tomato Onion Paste to the sauté along with the other spices and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium flame.
4. Now add the marinated soy nuggets along with the marinade leftover. Mix well. If the yogurt has left water and the curry looks enough watery then no need to add any extra water. But if the curry looks dry, then add 1/2 cup water and adjust the seasoning with salt and Garam Masala.
5. Cover and cook on medium low flame for 10-15 minutes, till everything looks happily married.
6. Take it off the flame, garnish with fresh cilantro if you want or add more Kasuri Methi for more aroma. The curry is ready.
Note : The curries like this taste better in the next meal :), since they keep absorbing more flavors and juices for as long as they can sit in their spices and juices.
Taking this dish to Angie’s fiesta Friday .
Hey Sonal, How are you? Am definitely trying this very soon 🙂
Yay Charanyaaaaaaa :)))))))))
You go girl! Good to see you here. I kept wondering, where has she gone? I knew you were getting married so belated wishes for your happy married life :).
So waiting to see you in full action :)).
Yes.I was in a rural place devoid of internet connection 🙁 I have my maldivian curry still in my inbox. Thank you so much for your wishes 🙂
This is my new blog address Sonal 🙂
http://wholesomeveganappetite.wordpress.com/
Looks delicious. Is this similar to meal maker? So what do you think about using organic tofu and stories around GMO etc? I like soy chunks but refrain from getting them due to these controversies around organic vs regular soy and now I just stick to organic tofu couple of times a month.
I think I would enjoy soy nuggets especially the way you prepared them. Marinating can make a big difference!
I need to look into these soy nuggets. Sound like something I would enjoy!
This looks really interesting, you always have such interesting recipes Sonal! 😀
What a great recipe with soy nuggets! yum!
I never liked soy nuggets until I had them at a wedding made in the ‘INdo-chinese’ manchurian style. They were to die for and I think this dish sounds equally delicious! Thanks Sonal!
I love these spongy textured soy nuggets. I have not cooked with them myself but have enjoyed them in various Thai curries. I really like how they absorb the liquid yet keep their spongy consistency. Have you ever had Stonewall’s Jerquee? It’s so good!
Stonewall jerquee is new to me Cottage! I have to hunt it down now. Organic stores?
Also have never seen them in Thai cuisine. Wow..a whole new world of its use but I can see it in red and green curry very well.
Thanks for this new perspective :).
Yes, I usually find the Stonewall jerquee in a “healthier store”. Google it! It’s interesting…
I love seitan, tempeh, tofu and generally all things soy . . . even though I get confused as to . . . is it really good for me, etc. The tomato onion paste seems like a great staple to have on hand, thanks for the tip. This looks really yummy!
Thanks birgerbird! I can vouch for everything else as healthy but seitan! It is pure gluten.
That tomato paste is a good base for any curry . The brands like Patak and Sherwood sell these in small bottles and are often loaded with oil and taste blah! If you can make this at home, you will never buy the bottled curry paste ever :).
Really? Ok!
This looks delicious, Sonal. The soy nuggets look so satisfying!
They are satisfying Patty. I like their texture very much :).
This looks so delicious…I’ve never had soy nuggets before…and I think so many people (including myself) are mistaken about them! Preconceived notions usually tend to be wrong… Thank you for sharing this..I’m thinking I should find soy nuggets and see what they’re all about. Lovely post…gorgeous photos! 🙂
Thanks my dear BBB :). In case you can’t find soy nuggets, then baby potatoes, cauliflower, paneer, extra form tofu and chicken go very well with similar prep :).
I’ve never cooked with soy nugget before, but I suspect they have a consistency similar to age-dofu. This recipe sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure :). And thanks for liking :).
Oh, what a wonderful recipe and thanks for introducing me to soy nuggets. They look and sound delicious. I do know that tofu marinates amazingly well, so I will seek out these nuggets and try to make your recipe. I can’t wait! 😀
Thanks Chef.
The earthy vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, paneer, firm tofu, tempeh and chicken go very well with this preparation.
Looks wonderful, I have not tried non meat curries often on my husband, he is a real meat eater but this might swing it 🙂
My omnivore hubby loved it :).
Yay that’s good news hehe
Gotta try these! We made something similar for Fiesta Friday this time. Paneer Tikka’s- marinated in yoghurt too! 🙂 Great minds do think alike Sonal. 🙂
;)))
Aditi : yes they do!
Wapas?
Just left this afternoon. 🙂 On our way. We’re stopping by Asheville for the night and then Charleston tomorrow morning. Will catch up when back next week.
I’ve never heard of soy nuggets, these look pretty awesome though!
Thanks Alex :). They are available in international grocery stores or Indian grocery stores. The popular brand is Nutrella.
Looks delicious and the marinade sounds very flavorful! Had to laugh at your comments regarding original ideas…sigh…I too encounter that and almost daily. As I drool over this yummy offering, I’ll look forward to the vegetable pilaf too 🙂
Nancy :))))
There is a soy nugget pilaf on my blog. I make my vegetable pilaf the similar way, just minus the soy nuggets.
Will soon do a detailed post though!
Love the flavours, I guess I could do this with chicken for my boys? And maybe cauliflower for me?? X
Yes Elaine. Chicken is what I do for my husband and girls with similar style. Just add little lemon juice while marinating to tenderize the meat.
This can be done to cauliflower, potato, firm tofu or tempeh etc.
Excellent, thank you xx
I love using soya nuggets as they do absorb flavours pretty well, lovely recipe 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Sounds delicious! 🙂
Thanks Jhuls 🙂
nice recipe ……… i make this but i dont use bell paper n onion saute step…. i simply merinade d nuggets n make in onion ginger garlic paste n then tomatoe paste n roast merinated nuggets well . then add waer .. n make lil more liquidy…………….. this i version of u sounds soo gud. will try next time ur version… keep it up,,,,:-)
u knw i luv soya nuggets to much. i can eat this for d whole day……..
Yay Anju :). I am glad that you liked it!
I’ve never bought soy nuggets. I mainly eat paneer or Tofu. This sounds delicious . I believe I can even use the recipe for carnivorous ingredients. You blog and photography has really improved, The photos look professional and the colours are well blended. I’ve enjoyed browsing! Enjoy the weekend ahead!
What a great compliment coming from you Liz. I have always admired your work.
Yes this can be perfectly made with chicken, lamb, beef, fish, paneer and tofu as well :).
Have a great weekend yourself :).
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
These are made with the Nutrela type soy wadis, right? I could never get myself to like them. But this sounds so delicious. will try.
Yes Apsara. I love these nuggets and often use them in Pulavs also. My husband is an omnivore and be said it is as good as chicken tandoori.
This sounds sooo good . Never thought of using Soy nuggets this way . Will definitely try this out 🙂
:). Hugs