Heart warmers

What’s for dinner tonight? Try one of David Herbert’s aromatic, warming vegetarian curries.

A vegetable curry is just the thing at this time of year. These recipes are flexible: vary them according to what you have at hand.

CAULIFLOWER & SWEET POTATO CURRY

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 brown onion, sliced

1/2  cauliflower, cut into florets

1 sweet potato, cut into cubes

1 long red chilli, chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic, chopped

8-10 curry leaves

1 tablespoon garam masala

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

Handful fresh coriander

400g tinned chopped tomatoes

Juice 1 lime

1 cup vegetable or chicken stock

400ml coconut milk

1 cup frozen peas

2 spring onions, sliced

Toasted flaked almonds

Plain natural yoghurt, to serve

Heat oil in large saucepan. Saute onion, cauliflower, sweet potato, chilli, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, spices and coriander stalks (reserve leaves) for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, lime, stock and coconut milk; simmer for 15 minutes. Add peas; cook for 5 minutes. Garnish with spring onions, almonds and coriander leaves. Serve with yoghurt. Serves 4

THAI RED CURRY WITH VEGETABLES

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 brown onion, diced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 red capsicum, thinly sliced

1 green capsicum, thinly sliced

3 medium carrots, sliced

1/2  butternut pumpkin, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons red curry paste

400ml can coconut milk

11/2  cups thinly sliced kale

11/2  teaspoons palm sugar

11/2  teaspoons rice vinegar

Juice 1/2  lime

Coriander leaves, to garnish

Heat oil in large saucepan. Saute onion, ginger and garlic for 5 minutes. Add capsicum, carrot and pumpkin and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add curry paste; cook for 2 more minutes. Add coconut milk, kale, sugar, 3/4  cup water; simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add rice vinegar and lime juice; garnish with coriander. Serves 4

And to drink ... 

Beer: Two Birds' Golden Ale ($5) or BrewCult's IPA Thanks Captain Obvious ($6)

davidherbertfood.com