Komola Kopi or Stir-Fried Cauliflower and Mandarin Orange Segments

Komola Kopi

I came across this unusual recipe on Facebook and since oranges and cauliflower are staples in our home, gave it a try with excellent results. Since most of the orange segments melted down in the cooking, I added more before removing it from the stove top. Its appearance, aroma and taste were in a class of its own. I love the occasional burst of sweet citrus flavour! 

Serve this as a side dish with rice or chapatis.

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower, divided into florets

6-8 new baby potatoes, peeled and halved

1 + 1 mandarin oranges, peeled, halved and divided into segments

4+2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tsp. panch phoron seeds

1 dried red pepper

1 onion, peeled and minced

1 tsp. ginger paste

1 tsp. garlic paste

1 tsp. roasted cumin powder

1/2 tsp. Bengali garam masala powder (ground cinnamon, cloves and cardamom)

1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

1/2 tsp. Kashmiri mirch/paprika powder

2 green chilies, slit

4 Tbsp. minced cilantro (not shown)

1 tsp. ghee (coconut oil for vegans)

salt to taste

Directions

1. Dilute spice powders in 1/2 cup of water, stir and set aside.
2. Heat 4 Tbsp. oil and fry cauliflower florets until lightly golden, remove from oil and set aside.
3. In the same oil, lightly brown potatoes, remove from oil and set aside.
4. Add 2 Tbsp. oil to remaining oil in skillet and sputter panch phoron seeds and unbroken dried red pepper.
5. Toss in minced onions, stir-fry until translucent, then add ginger and garlic pastes followed by diluted spice paste.
6. Season with salt to taste and stir contents of skillet for 2 minutes.
7. Return fried cauliflower and potatoes to skillet along with orange segments and stir to coat with spices.
8. Add 1/2 cup hot water and stir.
9. Lower heat to medium-low, cover skillet and simmer for 8-10 minutes until potatoes soften.
10. Add remaining orange segments and simmer for a minute.
11. Adjust salt to taste and garnish with slit green chilies, cilantro and ghee/coconut oil.

Serve with rice or chapatis.