Mix Sabzi

Mix sabzi is Pakistan's everyday vegetable curry: a rainbow of seasonal vegetables simmered in a lightly spiced tomato gravy until tender and glossy. Wholesome, budget-friendly and endlessly adaptable, it is the vegetable dish every home cook masters.

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

40 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

160

Ingredients

• 2 potatoes, 1 carrot, 100g cauliflower, 100g peas and 100g green beans, prepped
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 0.5 tsp red chilli powder
• 0.5 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 200ml water
• Fresh coriander, chopped
• Roti or rice, to serve

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and sizzle the cumin seeds until they crackle.
2. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes until golden, then stir in the ginger-garlic paste for 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes, turmeric, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt, and cook until the oil separates, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the potatoes, carrot and cauliflower, coating them in the masala.
5. Pour in the water, cover and simmer 12 minutes.
6. Add the peas and green beans and simmer 8 more minutes until all vegetables are tender.
7. Sprinkle with garam masala and coriander, and serve hot with roti or rice.

Pro tips

• Cut vegetables in similar sizes so they cook evenly.
• Add quick-cooking vegetables like peas later so they stay bright.
• A pinch of amchur (dried mango powder) at the end adds a lovely tang.
• Use whatever vegetables are in season — the mix is flexible.

Frequently asked questions