Stir fried cauliflower with onions

Cauliflower is considered a very boring vegetable. Of late there have been a lot of recipes with roasted cauliflower which brings out the best in the vegetable. Stir frying cauliflower with aromatics also infuses the cauliflower with a lot of flavor and turns a bland vegetable to something wonderful.

In this simple stir fry, the caramelized onions add tons of flavor and the sauteed urad dal provides the crunch in every bite.

Stir fried cauliflower with onions 

1 ½ lbs cauliflower (florets only)

¾  teaspoon mustard seeds

2 teaspoon broken urad dal without skin 

1 large red onion, finely chopped (about 1½ cup)

1 teaspoon red chili flakes

¼  teaspoon asafoetida (hing)

2 tablespoon canola oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste

1. Chop the cauliflower coarsely into ½ inch pieces.
2. Heat a large heavy bottomed non-stick skillet with canola oil over medium high heat. When the oil is hot add the mustard seeds and the urad dal. As the mustard seeds begin to pop, add the asafoetida, chili flakes and the chopped onion. Saute over medium to medium high heat for about 5 minutes till the onions turn a golden brown color. 
3. Add the cauliflower and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and mix with the onion mixture. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes and then cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, tossing every 3 minutes till the cauliflower is soft. Remove cover and cook over high heat for 2 minutes.
4. Remove to serving bowl and serve warm with pita, chatpati or rice and a gravy of lentils or any other vegetable or non-veg curry.

Yield: Serves 4 as a side along with a couple of other dishes