Gobhi Bhare Tamatar (Cauliflower-Stuffed Tomatoes)

Ingredients

• Tomatoes - 5 whole
• Cauliflower (medium) - 1/2 whole
• Paneer - 50 g
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Ginger - 1/4 piece
• Red chili powder - 1/4 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Amchoor powder - 1/4 tsp
• Cashew nuts - 2 tbsp
• Raisins - 1 tbsp
• Sugar - 1/4 tsp
• Salt
• Gram flour (besan) - 3 tbsp
• Orange food color - 1 pinch
• Carom seeds (ajwain) - 1 pinch
• Oil - 3 tbsp
• Oil - 2 tsp

Instructions

1. 1Grate the cauliflower, chop the paneer into small pieces, and grate the ginger so everything is ready to go before you start cooking.
2. 2Heat 3 tbsp oil in a kadai until hot; add the cumin seeds and, when they begin to turn golden and fragrant, add the grated ginger and sauté for a minute on low flame.
3. 3Stir in salt, red chili powder, garam masala, and amchoor powder, then add the cashew nuts and raisins and stir for a few seconds so the spices coat the nuts and fruit.
4. 4Add the grated cauliflower, mix well, sprinkle the sugar, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the cauliflower is cooked through and tender.
5. 5Remove the lid, add the chopped paneer, gently combine, and take the pan off the heat so the filling cools slightly.
6. 6Cut the firm tomatoes into halves, scoop out the pulp, rub a little salt inside each half, and set them upside down for 15 minutes to drain excess moisture.
7. 7Fill each tomato half with the cauliflower and paneer mixture and press the filling gently so it sits compactly in the tomato.
8. 8Spread the 3 tbsp gram flour on a plate, add a pinch of orange food color, a pinch of carom seeds, and a little salt; holding the stuffed tomato with the filling side up, invert it into the gram flour so the filling gets a light coating on top.
9. 9Heat 2 tsp of oil on a tawa until hot, then place the coated tomato on the tawa with the filling side down so it sears against the oil and sets the gram-flour coating.
10. 10Turn the tomato after a minute to slightly cook the other side as well, taking care not to break the tomato while turning.
11. 11Keep the tomato on the heat for a short while so it warms through but does not go limp; turn when each side is done to achieve an even, light crust.
12. 12Serve the gobhi bhare tamatar hot as a flavorful side dish.
13. 13Optional: Serve with steamed rice or warm rotis for a complete meal.