Mushroom in Spiced Cashew Cream Sauce

by Kiran on September 14, 2012 · 78 comments

in Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

It’s a big day tomorrow.

The stage is set, notes being prepared, slides are done and there’s no turning back.

Yikes!

I would be co-speaking about photography at Central Florida Bloggers Conference tomorrow. I am so excited, at the same time as nervous.

Just the idea of public speaking makes my head spin.

I need pointers, directions, tips… whatever you have to help me calm my nerves. This whole journey floods my high-school “debate” memories where I had to stand in front of many students and teachers, making my case on impact of green gas in the atmosphere.

I was almost green with panic. It wasn’t a good sight at all. I couldn’t speak for the first few minutes.

But I want to concur my fear and hopefully would ace tomorrow. Just pray I don’t go “green-face” again.

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup raw cashews
  • Hot water
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 12 oz white mushrooms, quartered
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 1/2 tsp garlic paste
  • pinch of turmeric powder
  • pinch of cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 2/3 cup hot water
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala

Directions:

  1. Soak raw cashews with enough hot water for a minimum of an hour.
  2. Heat a nonstick skillet on medium. Once pan is hot, add 2 tbsp olive oil and chopped red onions. Fry until onions are lightly browned and fragrant.
  3. Remove browned onions into a blender. Let stand until slightly cooled. Add raw cashews, some water and blend everything into a smooth paste.
  4. In the same nonstick skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Once skillet is heated, throw in cloves, garlic paste and turmeric powder. Fry for half a minute.
  5. Add quartered mushrooms and salt. Cook till mushroom releases some moisture.
  6. Sprinkle in cinnamon, red chili, cardamom and curry powder. Cook until fragrant, around 2 minutes.
  7. Add cashew paste and stir to coat everything.
  8. Depending on sauce thickness preference, add hot water accordingly. Stir in between.
  9. To finish, add lemon juice and garam masala. Cook for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
  10. Serve hot with chapati’s, paratha’s or cumin scented rice.


Off to find a spot, meditate and try to work on my notes for tomorrow. Wish me luck!

How would you rate yourself in public speaking?

 

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1 Rosa September 14, 2012 at 1:04 PM

So scrumptious looking! That dish is marvelous. I love mushrooms in creamy/smooth sauces…

Cheers,

Rosa

2 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 5:49 PM

Rosa — thanks love 🙂

3 recipeland September 14, 2012 at 1:07 PM

This recipe is up to my ally, indeed. Mushrooms, cashew nuts, and all these aromatic Indian spices, one spoonful, I will be in the heaven. Love it!

4 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 5:50 PM

Recipeland — it’s such a fun and easy recipe, with tons of flavor 🙂

5 Kankana September 14, 2012 at 1:34 PM

Congrats and I am sure you will do fine. Just talk from your heart 🙂 And that is one lovely curry presented beautifully!
Kankana recently posted..A Healthy Breakfast Muffin

6 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 5:51 PM

Kankana — thanks love 🙂

7 dassana September 14, 2012 at 1:52 PM

congrats and all the best. i would also go blank during my initial days in public speaking in college, but now am fine. thanks to my experience in corporate training.

the curry recipe is too good with browned onion & cashew paste and looks delicious too.
dassana recently posted..besan ladoo | ganesh chaturthi recipe

8 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 5:54 PM

Dassana — thanks for the advise, so sweet!

9 Caroline September 14, 2012 at 1:59 PM

Best of luck, Kiran!! I hear ya re public speaking–definitely not my thing. I’m sure you will do wonderful though. This mushroom dish sounds delicious, and very unique. 🙂
Caroline recently posted..stuffed. [jalapeno chicken wraps]

10 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Caroline — thanks a lot sweets 🙂

11 Cassie September 14, 2012 at 2:06 PM

Your photos are so stunning. This sounds so flavorful, too! Love it!
Cassie recently posted..Sriracha Balsamic Vinaigrette | Sriracha Week Roundup

12 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Cassie — thanks a lot dear 🙂

13 Choc Chip Uru September 14, 2012 at 5:19 PM

My best to you my friend, it will be so exciting 😀
And what delicious looking dish!

Cheers
CCU
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Guest Post #6: A Double Whammy

14 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 10:40 PM

Uru — thanks a lot dear friend 🙂

15 lizzie - strayed from the table September 14, 2012 at 9:09 PM

Good luck with your talk. Public speaking is not my thing either. I dont mind sharing stories and hints with a small number of people but no a hall full. This recipe looks fantastic. I will definitely be making this, this week. Cashew cream is fantastic.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

16 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 10:55 PM

Lizzie — thanks dear. Let me know how it tastes 🙂

17 lizzie - strayed from the table September 28, 2012 at 5:32 AM

Just made this for dinner, it was fabulous, did not look as good as yours though. The taste sure made up for it.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Surfcoast Seafood, Alexandra Headland

18 Tadka Pasta September 14, 2012 at 10:24 PM

Good Luck, Kiran! Can’t imagine you being anything less than awesome! You’re a great photographer, and that is half the battle done..when you know your subject and are good at it. That curry looks and sounds like its going to be so good!
Tadka Pasta recently posted..Crackling Churmuri

19 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:09 PM

Tadka Pasta — thank you so much for such comforting encouragements. You made my day, dear friend 🙂

20 Carolyn Chan September 15, 2012 at 1:18 AM

Good luck! Public speaking is terrifying for me, too. Just have faith in your work ( which is awesome!) and deep breaths, let us know how it goes, sure you’ll nail it!
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Chicken and sweet corn soup

21 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Carolyn — thank you so much for the encouragements my friend. I’ll definitely recap the whole event soon 🙂

22 Rekha Kakkar September 15, 2012 at 1:39 AM

Mushrooms are one of favorites…love them any dish. As a young girl I too had a fear about public speaking , but after being married to a fauji, life has presented me with many oppertunities for public speaking and once I made it through few events, it started coming better and naturally 🙂 All the best for your Conference !
Rekha Kakkar recently posted..Online reputation for bloggers| How and why to measure it

23 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:23 PM

Rekha — my salute to you and your family! And thank you for the words of encouragements and tips!

24 Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb September 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM

Dont worry, you will be fine. I am a catastrophe too when speaking in front of crowds, u should have seen me on my graduation work about development aid.

It’s a bit late for me to give you some tips cause I guess u ll be there. Let me know how u fared Kiran. All the best, sending you courage form goa!!

Love your mushroom gravy and I am going to try it out for myself, cause the ingredients are just around. yum!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb recently posted..Comment on The Breadfruit and a simple tasty and quick Recipe by Helene Dsouza

25 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:30 PM

Helene — thank you for the words of encouragement, Helene. I hope to put up a recap of the event soon 🙂

26 Jen @ Savory Simple September 15, 2012 at 8:37 AM

I’m a terrible public speaker! I had social anxiety for years and used to visibly shake when I spoke in front of others. But I’ve gotten much better by throwing myself right into the fire. Take deep breaths and remember that they have no idea you’re nervous. Fake it till you make it 🙂
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Spicy Pappardelle with Sausage and Shiitake Mushrooms

27 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:36 PM

Jen — Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement, my friend. I couldn’t fake my nervousness, but the crowd was so fun and supportive. I’d write all about it soon 🙂

28 PolaM September 15, 2012 at 11:16 AM

I am sure you did great! Your pics are always as beautiful as your recipes are good!

29 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:36 PM

Polam — oh, thanks a lot dear 🙂

30 the wicked noodle September 15, 2012 at 11:28 AM

Wishing you all the luck in the world – but you won’t need it, you’ll be fabulous!!
the wicked noodle recently posted..Caprese Salad with Burrata Cheese {family style}

31 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:52 PM

Kristy — thanks my dear friend 🙂

32 Deb September 15, 2012 at 12:03 PM

I wish you the best! When you begin speaking with passion and about a subject you love, your heart will calm your nerves. You will succeed!

33 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:53 PM

Deb — thank you so much dear 🙂

34 Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious September 15, 2012 at 9:22 PM

You will do wonderful! 🙂 Best of luck to you. And this mushroom dish looks so lovely.
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious recently posted..Beef Barley Soup

35 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:58 PM

Yudith — thanks a lot, friend 🙂

36 foodwanderings September 15, 2012 at 9:49 PM

Break a leg Kiran, I know you would do fine! Great spiced cashew sauce my friend. Love the photos of the mushrooms!
foodwanderings recently posted..Apple Bourbon Bundt Cake

37 Kiran September 20, 2012 at 11:58 PM

Shulie — thanks dear, and I love your phrase, “break the leg!”.. Hope I did 😉

38 Charul @ Tadka Masala September 16, 2012 at 7:52 AM

We dont eat mushrooms, but I loved the gravy of this recipe. Gonna try it with potatoes or cauliflower. Which one would be the best?
I hope your presentations was good. I am the worst at public speaking, I start stammering and sweating and shivering and what not! Although, finding a familiar face in the audience and sticking to staring at that one helps me to some extent. Some people say that it looks like you are presenting to that one person only. But hey, I am presenting at least. And thats all that matters!
Charul @ Tadka Masala recently posted..Munnar and more!

39 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:13 PM

Charul — I think you should try it with cauliflower. Let me know how it tastes. And thanks a lot for the words of encouragement, dear friend 🙂

40 vianney September 17, 2012 at 12:52 AM

good luck~~ I dread public apeaking!!
vianney recently posted..Enchiladas en Salsa Roja

41 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:15 PM

Vianney — thanks a lot honey 😉

42 Baker Street September 17, 2012 at 2:36 AM

I completely dread giving presentations or speaking but I’m sure you’ll do great! The mushroom is cashew sauce is such a lovely recipe, K! Thanks for sharing.
Baker Street recently posted..#MuffinMonday: Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins

43 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:16 PM

Anu — you are welcome, and thanks for the words of encouragement!

44 Raymund September 17, 2012 at 4:13 AM

That looks so good! And congratulations on being a speaker, good luck
Raymund recently posted..Fish and Pak Choy in Black Bean Sauce

45 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:19 PM

Raymund — thanks so much!

46 tania@mykitchenstories.com.au September 17, 2012 at 8:37 AM

This look utterly delicious and the photos more so. Congratulations… I am sure you have spoken now and I am sure that you did well. How wonderful for you… you deserve to feel good
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au recently posted..Cowbell 808

47 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Tania — oh, thanks a lot for believing in me, my dear friend 🙂

48 Richa September 17, 2012 at 1:04 PM

thats awesome! great going Kiran.. and the sauce looks ahmazing!

its just the first 2 minutes you have to get through… the initial jitters fade really quickly.. start with some incidents or something and then your photography will take over:) allthe best and i am sure you will do super!
Richa recently posted..Chili Eggplant Stacks. vegan glutenfree recipe and a Giveaway!

49 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Richa — thanks so much my dear friend, it went well 🙂

50 Angie@Angie's Recipes September 17, 2012 at 2:03 PM

This looks scrumptious! Love that flavourful and creamy sauce .
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Pumpkin Spelt Muffins with Peanuts and Ginger

51 Namitha September 17, 2012 at 2:20 PM

That’s a great news 1 waiting to hear how did it go 🙂
The mushroom looks so creamy! Love cashew based gravies
Namitha recently posted..Whole Wheat Blueberry Crisp

52 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:27 PM

Namitha — thanks dear friend. I am writing a recap of the event and hope to have it up soon 🙂

53 Sophie September 17, 2012 at 5:49 PM

I also am a big fan of cashews, but you knew that! 🙂 What a lovely fragrant, tasty & truly creamy dish! Yummy Yum, I reckon!! xxx
Sophie recently posted..Vegan pear & cashew cheese spread! Yeah!

54 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Sophie — I knew you would love this recipe 😉

55 Asmita September 17, 2012 at 6:21 PM

Congratulations and all the best!
Your curry looks so creamy and delicious! I love mushrooms and this will go so well with roti.
Asmita recently posted..Guest Post “Modak” or Sweet Dumpling

56 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:51 PM

Asmita — thanks love, and you are right about roti 🙂

57 Simply Life September 17, 2012 at 7:03 PM

Oh I’m sure you’re going to do great! I would love to learn from you! Hope you give us an update on how it went!
Simply Life recently posted..Homemade Tomato Sauce on Spaghetti Squash: Inspired by My Italian Grandmother

58 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:53 PM

Gina — I am writing an update as we speak. Hope to put it up soon 🙂

59 chinmayie @ love food eat September 17, 2012 at 10:18 PM

So how did it go? I am sure you rocked on stage 🙂
I am ok with public speaking but I suck in front of the camera 🙁 I feel terribly conscious and my mind goes blank!

This mushroom curry looks terrific! Like restaurant style 🙂
chinmayie @ love food eat recently posted..Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms

60 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:57 PM

Chin — thanks a lot dear. It went well, without much drama. I’d have the recap up soonish, promise 😉

61 Ina gawne September 18, 2012 at 8:09 AM

Ohhh how delicious! I love the cashew cream sauce, mushrooms and curry – a perfect combination!
Ina gawne recently posted..DAIRY FREE CASHEW CREAM SAUCE

62 Kitchen Belleicious September 18, 2012 at 11:08 AM

cashew cream sauce? Going on the top of my to do list. I heart cashews so anything involving them I am a sucker to try! It looks stunning

63 Jamie September 18, 2012 at 12:33 PM

I love speaking about writing and food and culture but as much as I love it it freaks me out. Teeth chatter, palms sweat and I have to read directly from my notes or I’ll wander off into a long-winded rambling blather. But imparting knowledge and inspiring others is worth the stress every time. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful. And I wish I was in Florida….

Love the sauce for this mushroom curry. Beautiful.
Jamie recently posted..SEPTEMBER 15 – SEPTEMBER 18

64 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 10:58 PM

Jamie — I went through the exact same jitters my friend. Thanks for the encouragement, and wish you were here too!

65 Courtney Jones September 18, 2012 at 6:11 PM

The spiced cashew cream sauce looks amazing! Wow! So much flavour and so creamy. I cannot wait to make this! 🙂 Mmmm!
Courtney Jones recently posted..Curried Autumn Squash Lentil Stew

66 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 11:18 PM

Courtney — thanks a lot dear, and do let me know how it tastes 🙂

67 Lora @cakeduchess September 20, 2012 at 6:21 AM

I wish I could’ve been there. I’m sure you did a fantastic job, Kiran:) Love this cashew sauce with the mushrooms. I could eat it for lunch with some flat bread:) xx

68 Kiran September 21, 2012 at 11:19 PM

Lora — thanks a lot honey. And I love your idea with flat bread. Great accompaniment 🙂

69 mjskit September 23, 2012 at 5:39 PM

These mushrooms look divine! I love mushrooms as a side but you don’t see it much. Love the seasoning! Hope your presentation went well! I’m sure you did great!!!! Having been an instructor, trainer and conference speaker for many years my advice would be to know your stuff and have fun!

70 Shailly September 24, 2012 at 6:04 AM

I got diverted after seeing your featured recipe on my friend’s blog (your cookery book).

Your recipe is really mouthwatering. I can’t wait try it out. I am a fan of curries.

71 Honey What's Cooking September 24, 2012 at 9:36 PM

this looks heavenly. never thought of making mushrooms in a cashew sauce… chicken yes, but not mushrooms. very nice job!
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies (101 calories)

72 מתכונים September 25, 2012 at 2:49 AM

WOW, looks amazing 🙂 Love your blog
מתכונים recently posted..מתכון לקרפצ’יו

73 Mushrooms Canada September 26, 2012 at 10:04 AM

Beautiful photos of an amazing dish! This recipe incorporates some of my favourite spices and flavours, thanks for sharing!!

-Shannon
Mushrooms Canada recently posted..Mushrooms are Going PINK!

74 Nami | Just One Cookbook September 26, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Ugh, I couldn’t congratulate and say good luck before you are going to the conference. I’m sorry to visit you so late. How did it go? I’ve been so busy that I’m not up to date on a lot of things. Hope everything went well, and so wish that I could have been there to listen to your advice! We love mushrooms and this looks really delicious! Not to mention the photography is stunning as always, Kiran!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Mentaiko Pasta | Spicy Cod Roe Pasta 明太子パスタ

75 Evan October 5, 2012 at 12:14 PM

This recipe looks wonderful, I can’t wait to make it. I have some friends coming over next week and would love to try it out on them–do you know how much this makes/how many it would serve, either as a side dish or a main?

Glad to hear your event went well.

76 Kiran October 5, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Hi Evan — thank you for your comment 🙂

This recipe serves 4 people as a side dish. I hope you’d enjoy it with your guests. Bon apetito!

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