Shahi Gobhi | Creamy Cauliflower Subzi

Shahi Gobhi is a creamy and delicious subzi made with fresh cauliflower and spices. The cauliflower curry has freshly ground masala paste that enhances the flavor and makes it a great choice with rice or roti.

We eat a lot of curries and I am always looking forward to trying new recipes. Indian cuisine is a treasure for curry and different side dishes.

Cauliflower and peas curry in a steel bowl with poori and rice in the background

This subzi / sabzi can be eaten with rice or with roti / phulka. If given a choice my kid's first choice would be to make Gobi Manchurian. But they love cauliflower in any recipe and get very excited when I buy them.

Why make this recipe?

This cauliflower subzi is very rich and flavorful. Hence the name for the dish is Shahi Gobhi which literally translates into Royal Cauliflower.

This shahi Gobi recipe uses a fresh masala paste made with aromatic spices. It tastes great with rice or roti. My boys love it with some fresh phulka / pulka smeared with ghee.

Both fresh and frozen cauliflower works for this recipe. Although I prefer to make this when I buy a fresh head of cauliflower. But I have made this several times with frozen as well.

This shahi gobhi is not a very spicy recipe as we use some yogurt and fresh cream. So this is definitely a kid-friendly option or a great choice to make for someone who does not eat spicy food.

shahi gobhi subzi in a bowl

Ingredients Needed

Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipes.

For the curry -

  • Cauliflower - floret removed into bite size pieces.
  • Onion - sliced
  • Spices - Cardamom, cloves and bay leaf
  • Tomato puree
  • Yogurt - plain fresh yogurt. Homemade works the best!
  • Green peas
  • Fresh cream
  • Honey
  • Ghee or oil or both
  • Salt

To be ground together - Masala paste

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Whole spices - Cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds (dhania) , cumin seeds , bay leaf and cinnamon.
  • Turmeric powder
  • Chili powder
  • Cashew nuts

Procedure to make Shahi Gobhi

  • Grind all the ingredients mentioned under the masala paste into a smooth paste adding no water or very little water. Please look at the exact quantity of the spices in the recipe card below.
freshly ground masala paste in a blender jar
  • Remove the florets from the cauliflower and boil it in water until it is half cooked and has a bite to it. Do not make the cauliflower very mushy.
  • Add about a tablespoon of oil in a pan and saute the florets until they develop a light color. This step ensures that the cauliflower does not become mushy when we add it to the gravy.
cauliflower florets cooked and pan fried
  • In a wide pan, heat the oil or ghee. Add the sliced onions and fry until translucent. Now add the cardamoms, cloves, and bay leaf and sauté for 3-4 mins.
  • Add the ground masala paste and fry it until the oil leaves the sides of the pan. Also at this point, the masala will thicken and be very aromatic.
  • Now add the tomato puree and the whipped yogurt and mix well. Fry this mixture for 5 more minutes.
process shot to make shahi gobi
  • Add the peas, cauliflower, and salt and mix well. Add more water to the gravy if needed and let it simmer for about 8-10 mins.
  • Mix in the cream and then take the cauliflower curry off the flame. Do not boil after you add the cream. At the end add the honey and give a mix.
cauliflower curry with peas

What to serve with shahi gobhi?

We love eating this cauliflower subzi with poori or pulka.

I also add a simple pulao like this peas pulao or Simple Jeera rice.

cauliflower subzi with poori and rice

Expert Tips

  • Choose fresh cauliflower to get the best flavor.
  • Frying the semi-cooked cauliflower florets in the pan before adding it to the subzi ensures that the florets do not become mushy in the recipe.
  • We can skip the cream or use a little milk instead in the end.
  • I used frozen green peas and hence added it with the cauliflower as it cooks quickly. If using fresh green peas, then cook it before and then add to the shahi gobhi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cauliflower to make this curry?

Yes, we can use frozen cauliflower to make this shahi gobhi subzi. Make sure to carefully cook the frozen cauliflower so that it does not become mushy.

Can we skip the cream in the shahi gobhi recipe?

Yes, we can skip the cream in the recipe altogether or use milk instead.

Can this subzi be frozen?

Yes, shahi gobhi curry can be frozen and then reheated. I would suggest freezing it in individual serving containers for easy thawing and reheating.

cauliflower and peas curry

More Cauliflower recipes

Gobi Manchurian / Cauliflower Manchurian

Achari Gobhi / Cauliflower in pickling masala

Oven roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower Kurma

Cauliflower Paratha

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Recipe

cauliflower and peas subzi

Shahi Gobhi | Creamy Cauliflower Subzi

Shahi Gobi is a creamy and delicious subzi made with fresh cauliflower and spices. The cauliflower curry has freshly ground masala paste that enhances the flavor and makes it a great choice with rice or roti.
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: Indian, North Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 221kcal

Equipment

  • pan
  • spatula
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 1 large Cauliflower
  • 1 large Onion Sliced thinly
  • 2 Cardamoms
  • 2 Cloves
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1 cup Tomato puree 2 large tomatoes
  • ¾ cup Yogurt Whisked
  • ¾ cup Green peas
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh cream
  • 1 teaspoon Honey
  • 3 tablespoon Ghee or oil or both
  • to taste Salt

TO BE GROUND TOGETHER - MASALA PASTE

  • 1 Onion Large
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 inch piece Ginger
  • 2 Cardamom
  • 3 Cloves
  • 2 teaspoon Coriander seeds/dhania
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1 stick Cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 2 tablespoon Cashew nuts

Instructions

  • Grind all the ingredients mentioned under the masala paste into a smooth paste adding no water or very little water.
  • Remove the florets from the cauliflower and steam it until it is half cooked and has a bite to it. Do not make the cauliflower very mushy.
  • Add about a tablespoon of oil in a pan and saute the florets until they develop a light color. This step ensures that the cauliflower does not become mushy when we add it to the gravy.
  • In a wide pan, heat the oil or ghee. Add the sliced onions and fry until translucent. Now add the cardamoms, cloves and bay leaf and sauté for 3-4 mins.
  • Add the ground masala paste and fry it until the oil leaves the sides of the pan. Also at this point, the masala will thicken and be very aromatic.
  • Now add the tomato puree and the whipped yogurt and mix well. Fry this mixture for 5 more minutes.
  • Add the peas, cauliflower, and salt and mix well. Add more water to the gravy if needed and let it simmer for about 8-10 mins.
  • Mix in the cream and then take the subzi off the flame. Do not boil after you add the cream.
  • Add the honey in the end and give a mix and serve hot!

Notes

Expert tips and Frequently asked questions - 
  • Choose fresh cauliflower to get the best flavor.
  • Frying the semi cooked cauliflower florets in the pan before adding it to the subzi ensures that the florets do not become mushy in the recipe.
  • We can skip the cream or use a little milk instead in the end.
  • I used frozen green peas and hence added it with the cauliflower as it cooks quickly. If using fresh green peas, then cook it before and then add to the shahi gobhi.
  • Can I use frozen cauliflower to make this curry?
    - Yes, we can use frozen cauliflower to make this shahi gobhi subzi. Make sure to carefully cook the frozen cauliflower so that it does not become mushy.
  • Can we skip the cream in the shahi gobhi recipe?
    - Yes, we can skip the cream in the recipe altogether or use milk instead.
  • Can this subzi be frozen?
    - Yes, shahi gobhi curry can be frozen and then reheated. I would suggest freezing it in individual serving containers for easy thawing and reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 564IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!

37 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This creamy cauliflower curry looks so good. I don't like vey spicy curries so I think this is perfect for me!

  2. 5 stars
    I had a cauliflower I had to use up but I wanted to do something exotic. When I found your recipe I knew that I'd be making it. At first I thought I'd have to get a bunch of unusual ingredients but we had all of them in our pantry. We made this Friday night and we loved it. I know why your children like their cauliflower this way. It is full of flavor.

  3. 5 stars
    I was very intimidated when I noticed this Shahi Gobhi recipe on Pinterest---but by the time I came to your blog looking at the ingredients, I was thrilled I literally had every single thing I needed except 1----I have to tell you. Normally that never happens! I loved the recipe and loved all the tips.

  4. 5 stars
    Shahi gobhi looms awesome and sounds yummy. I will definitely want to make your version with cream and yogurt. Sounds yummy.

  5. 5 stars
    I'm now beginning to love cauliflower as I'm constantly discovering new ways to prepare the sabji. Sandhya, your Shahi Gobhi is one of them. So creamy and absolutely mouthwatering.. definitely bookmarking this recipe.

  6. 5 stars
    Shahi gobhi looks so creamy and delectable ! I would love giving your version with cream and yogurt a try. Addition of honey sounds interesting to me.

  7. 5 stars
    I love Gobhi but never tried a shahi gobhi. It sounds and looks so delicious. Great recipe, can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    So easy, and so flavorful! Such a great recipe, and one that I can easily keep ingredients for on hand. Will be making this one regularly.

  9. 5 stars
    My family likes cauliflower recipes! this gobi curry has so much flavor I think I will try it with phulka next time 🙂

  10. 5 stars
    Mmmm, all the spices in this dish sound amazing!! Plus lots of fresh cauliflower. Thanks for sharing.

  11. 5 stars
    This creamy cauliflower makes me so excited to give this a go, since my family and I are big fans of cauliflower and would love to try new recipes. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  12. 5 stars
    Gobhi is very common daily Vegetable in Indian homes, especially during winters. Those who are bored of regular aloo Gobi ki sabji can switch over to this delicious and lipsmacking recipe with regular ingredients. Awesome.

  13. 5 stars
    My cauliflower lover family certainly going to love this. The recipe sounds so delicious and unique which I have never tried.
    Beautiful clicks.

5 from 17 votes

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