Gobi Bhujana (pronounced “bhuzana”) or bhujna– Pathare Prabhu style cauliflower in a spicy, tasty gravy with onions, green chilies and coriander leaves.
Enjoy a bowl with hot steamed rice or any flatbread!
The Pathare Prabhu community is one of the oldest and highly revered communities in the city of Mumbai, India.
Their origin can be traced back to the 13th century but after settling in Mumbai, their cuisine, composing mostly of seafood dishes metamorphosed to suit the local palate!
One of their basic curry powders that they use in most of their dishes is a 20-ingredient masala powder called Pathare Prabhu Sambhar Masala! I need to make some soon!
It has been said they migrated to Mumbai from Gujarat (originating first from Nepal via other Indian states!) and their cuisine has mainly been influenced by the different states they traversed and from local communities of Mumbai!
They are basically seafood connoisseurs (being mostly in Mumbai area) and love to enjoy this coastal delight in almost all of their savory dishes!
They have even Pathare Prabhufied (if there is a word like that!!) many of the vegetarian local dishes by adding seafood to them!
Their most famous dish is “Bhujana” or as they call sometimes it in Marathi, "bhujna" !
Basically, bhujana is a very unique preparation where all the basic ingredients (onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric and salt) are first mixed, coated in seafood mainly pomfret and then kept on stove top to cook. No frying, no blending and no tempering!
As fish cooks in 5 minutes, the muscle work is only in mixing the ingredients!
I have tried two versions of this, one with salmon fish and the other is for vegetarians, specially made for my husband!! This recipe is with cauliflower; gobi bhujana.
If you prefer, you can use thickly sliced potatoes instead.
The key step in Bhujana is in mixing the basic ingredients with your fingers, gently but firmly to get a homogeneous spicy mixture. This is then mixed with fish or in this case cauliflower florets.
Just enough water is added to cover the vegetables and then boiled until cooked. This would probably take only 5 to 6 minutes or even less if you want your vegetable to be tender crisp!
The final dish was so tasty; I was amazed how some simple basic ingredients and almost no cooking could lend such a wonderful flavor to any dish! The next time, I am going to try this with potatoes.
By the way, salmon bhujana came out amazing too!
Now, everyone in our family was happy!
Serve this easy, mind-blowing way of making any dish (the Pathare Prabhu way!) called "Gobi Bhujana" or if you are a seafood lover, "Salmon Bhujana" or even use pomfrets or any other seafood with hot steamed rice for a simple yet ultimate comforting and satisfying meal! It would go great with any roti, paratha, puri or even some soft bread slices too!
Enjoy and Happy Cooking!
Step-by-step method to make Cauliflower Bhujana:
Finely chop red onions, green chilies/jalapenos, cilantro/coriander leaves and garlic. You can either hand chop or use a food processor to mince these; do not make a paste; just fine pieces.
Place the chopped ingredients in a large bowl or even the saucepan or pot you are going to cook the cauliflower/gobi in. Mix well.
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt to taste and oil. Start mixing or crushing with your fingers for a few minutes until the mixture is paste like and all the flavors have blended well.
Pour required amount of water to just cover the mixture. Tip in cauliflower/gobi florets. Give it a good mix and then place on stove top. (If using fish, mix well and then add the fish).
Start heating the mixture and once it comes to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the vegetable is just cooked. Do not mix too much. This could take about 4 to 6 minutes only. Do not overcook the cauliflower!
That is it! No frying, no blending, no tempering!!
Enjoy spicy, quick, one-pot cauliflower bhujana with rice, chapattis, rotis, bread etc.!
Love cauliflower? Then check out these easy and flavorful dishes from this blog:
PRINT or SAVE this recipe of Gobi Bhujana for later:
Pathare Prabhu style cauliflower in a spicy, tasty gravy with onions, green chillies and coriander leaves. Enjoy a bowl with hot steamed rice or any flatbread!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cauliflower/gobi florets
- 2 medium red onions, finely chopped
- 3 to 4 green chillies/jalapenos, finely chopped
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro/coriander leaves, chopped
- 6 large garlic pods, finely chopped or grated
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 to 3 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder (or according to taste)
- 3 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Finely chop red onions, green chilies/jalapenos, cilantro/coriander leaves and garlic. You can either hand chop or use a food processor to mince these; do not make a paste; just fine pieces.
- Place the chopped ingredients in a large bowl or even the saucepan or pot you are going to cook the cauliflower/gobi in.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt to taste and oil.
- Start mixing or crushing with your fingers for a few minutes until the mixture is paste like and all the flavors have blended well.
- Tip in cauliflower/gobi florets and coat well.
- Pour required amount of water to just cover the mixture. Give it a good mix and then place on stove top.
- Start heating the mixture and once it comes to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the vegetable is just cooked. Do not mix too much. This could take about 4 to 6 minutes only. Do not overcook the cauliflower!
- That is it! No frying, no blending, no tempering!!
- Enjoy spicy, quick, one-pot cauliflower bhujana with rice, chapattis, rotis, bread etc.!
Notes
Adjust the amount of chilli/cayenne powder and green chilies according to personal preference.
The same recipe can be made with potatoes, cooked dried beans, fish etc.
Happy Cooking and Eating!
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Wow, I am a Pathare Prabhu and I've never ever had a gobhi bhujana, will try it soon. Do try versions with potatoes and prawns together, Ghol fish, eggs ( either boiled n sliced or whole eggs cracked in bhujana gravy, also vaal ( sprouted vaal) ...Amzing...
Us Pathare Prabhus have an awesome repertoire of food recipes most of which is simple and not time consuming...Do try them gradually
Truly loved the story of its origin , and vegetarian version too ..thanks for the lovely amazing share .
Thanks so much dear <3 I love Indian traditional recipes which seem to have been lost in the myriad of dishes that flood the online world as well as restaurants pushing fusion dishes which sometimes defy the clash of flavors!
Thanks a lot dear 🙂 I know, such a unique cuisine but lost in the myriad of other more popular ones!!
Interesting to read about Pathare Prabhu cuisine (further googled it) This is something I never heard about. Whatever I read, came to know their cuisine is all about seafood. Good that you have come out with a vegetarian version. Must try this way of making cauliflower
Thanks a lot dear ? I know, such a unique cuisine but lost in the myriad of other more popular ones!!
Interesting way to use Gobhi. Lovely presentation?
Thank you so much dear 🙂
Thanks so much Jayashree!! Yes, so easy, yet so delicious.....a must try!
Thank you Vanitha for sharing such a unique and wonderful recipe.Tempted to try it.Bookmarking it for my reference.Fantastic share.
Thanks so much dear 🙂 Absolutely try it!!! I am sure you will love it too!
This is different and looks easy to make. I should try this sometime. Nice share.
Thanks so much Jayashree!! Yes, so easy, yet so delicious…..a must try!
This is an interesting and unique recipe. Never tried this cauliflower bhujana. It loos absolutely delicious, some roti and rice would make this as a heavenly lunch. Great share!
Thanks so much Malini 🙂 You must try this; so easy, yet comes out so flavorful!
Sure. 🙂
Such a unique way to make cauliflower curry really !!!! Totally looks full of flavors . I am definitely going to try this version 🙂
Thanks dear 🙂 I know, the process to make this intrigued me too, so I had to try this to see for myself and was not disappointed! It came out super tasty! Do try this soon; I am sure you will love it too!
Vanitha I loved this gobhi bhujana recipe. Already I am crazy for cauliflower in gravies. I will try it tomorrow. Really cant wait to have it for my lunch tomorrow.
Thanks dear 🙂 Do try; it is already a winner in our house!
Gobi Bhujana is a very interesting and looks so delicious.Bookmarked it.Thanks for sharing the recipe.
You are most welcome Pavani and thanks so much! Do make this and I am sure it will come out fabulous; so simple, yet so delicious!
Wow..never seen or heard about gobi bhujana, looks absolutely awesome and delicious. I must make so soon as now cauliflowers are in season here.
Thanks so much Jagruti 🙂 I came across this on a cooking show using fish and had noted it down to make some day with veggies for my husband. Came out delish!!!
Wow..This bhujana sounds totaly interesting..The making and everything...It looks lip smacking though
Thanks Lathiya 🙂 Super easy and super tasty dish!
Loved reading about a not so popular yet one of the oldest Indian community. Thanks for sharing their technique of cooking. Gobi Bhujana looks very inviting.
Thanks a lot dear 🙂 🙂 It tasted awesome...trying out some more of their dishes!! I tried their badam poli using cashew instead; rich and delicious!
Gobi Bhujana sounds very interesting and easy to prepare dish yet tasty and delightful. I will have to try this recipe for sure soon. Thanks a lot for sharing this awesome recipe.
Thanks Geetha 🙂 🙂 It is a very unique dish which I was so excited to make and was not disappointed...came out so flavorful and so easy to make too!
Totally new recipe, but loved it every step. I am heading to the market this week and have written a big fat cauli in the list... yumm
Thanks so much Seema 🙂 We loved the cauliflower version; my husband was asking for more!!
What a unique way to make cauliflower curry, never knew about this have to try looks full of flavours. Bookmarking it.
Absolutely!!! I was so amazed at the ease of making and the final dish was very flavorful and delicious!!! Do try; I am sure you will love it too!
Sounds like an absolutely yummy curry. I am definitely going to try this. It's very different
Thank you so much!!! It is a wonderful and easy recipe....loved it! Do try; you will love it too 🙂
Totally new recipe to me! i'm so intrigued with this technique! I've heard of pathare prabhu dishes but haven't tasted it yet. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Thanks so much Freda 🙂 You must try this; even I was fascinated when I first watched Kunal Vijaykar making this on one of the cooking shows in India and always wanted to try this. Came out awesome with cauliflower as well as salmon; spicy and lip smacking!!!
I love learning about new communities and their food cultures. Thank you so much for bringing that in this recipe. Never tried a "bhujana" curry and it looks easy... I like how everything is put together and then cooked in one pot in one go. Will definitely try it!
Thanks Ashima 🙂 I am always on the lookout for not-so-popular, hidden gems from Indian or any other cuisine for that matter! I loved the simplicity and ease of this super delicious dish! Do try this with gobi, fish or potatoes; you will love it!
Wow, quite an interesting dish,gobi bhujana looks absolutely incredible to enjoy with some delicious rotis.Delightful vegan curry.
Thanks so much Priya 🙂 We loved it so much, now I am planning to make some soon again!!!!