Pakistani home sabzi · Bhuna style
Mix Sabzi Recipe (Pakistani Mixed Vegetable Curry)
Hard veg first. Bhuno the masala. Little water.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenMix sabzi is a Pakistani weeknight dish of whatever vegetables are in season, cooked in a dry bhuna masala. It usually goes mushy because soft and hard vegetables go in together. The fix is adding vegetables in order of cooking time, using barely any water, and finishing uncovered so the masala clings.
The 3 laws of mix sabzi
Why this recipe works
All at once
Even cooking, no mush.
Watery gravy
A dry masala coats each piece.
Lid on to the end
Drives off water.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Sabzi
The NineFoods veg gauge
Are the vegetables done?
Pierce a potato and a carrot.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Masala
- Fry onion golden, add ginger garlic and spices, then tomatoes.
- Bhuno until oil separates.
Vegetables
- Add potatoes and carrots with a splash of water, cover 8 minutes.
- Add cauliflower and beans, then peas. Use the gauge above.
Finish
- Uncover, add garam masala and toss until dry; top with coriander.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
All vegetables in at once.
Fix next time
Add in order of cooking time.
Why
Too much water or lid on.
Fix next time
Finish uncovered.
Why
Masala not bhuna.
Fix next time
Fry until oil separates.
Why
Big cubes.
Fix next time
Cut 1.5 cm cubes.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal vegetables | Body | Frozen mixed vegetables |
| Tomatoes | Masala | Yoghurt for a tangy version |
| Oil | Bhuna | Desi ghee |
| Garam masala | Finish | Kasuri methi |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Roti, paratha or daal chawal.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
Pan, uncovered, with a splash of water.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (are the vegetables done) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Mix Sabzi FAQ
Which vegetables go in mix sabzi?
Potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower and beans are classic.
How do I stop it going mushy?
Add vegetables in order of cooking time.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, add them for the last 8 minutes.
Is mix sabzi vegan?
Yes, when cooked with oil.