Easy carrot curry recipe for a comforting meal

Ingredients for Carrot curry

• 10 star anise pods

• 8 cardamom pods

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 22 g garam masala

• 900 g plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise

• 30 ml canola oil

• 90 g shallots, minced

• 960 ml pure carrot juice

• 60 ml fresh lime juice

• pinch of saffron threads

• 320 ml unsweetened coconut milk

• salt, to taste

• 8 large carrots, peeled, cut into 5–7.5 cm chunks

For the garnish:

• coconut milk

• coriander leaves (optional)

• fresh lime juice and zest

• rice (optional)

How to make Carrot curry

1. Toast the star anise, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and garam masala in a small dry frying pan over medium heat, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the spices. Scrape them onto a plate and set aside.

2. Grate the cut sides of the tomatoes using the large holes of a box grater set over a bowl; discard the skins.

3. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes.

4. Stir in the tomato purée and the toasted spices, then add the carrot juice and lime juice. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until the sauce can easily coat the back of a spoon, about 30 minutes.

5. Add the saffron and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the coconut milk. Cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

6. Remove from the heat and pick out and discard the whole spices. Blend the sauce until smooth using an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender), then pour it into a smaller saucepan. Season with salt.

7. Add the carrots to the curry sauce and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender, about 35 minutes.

8. Spoon the curry into bowls and drizzle each serving with a little coconut milk. Garnish each bowl with cilantro leaves, lime zest, and lime juice. Serve with rice.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.