This beautifully simple, light curry is closely based on a wonderful recipe from chef Angela Hartnett. It's always preferable to use some carefully selected ground and whole spices in a recipe like this, but if you're in a hurry, use a ready-made curry powder instead of the dry spices.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

　　1 medium-large cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pounds/800g), trimmed

　　Sea salt

　　2 tablespoons sunflower oil

　　3 onions, chopped

　　4 garlic cloves, chopped

　　1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

　　2 teaspoons ground coriander

　　2 teaspoons ground cumin

　　A large pinch of dried chile flakes

　　2 star anise

　　1 (14-ounce/400g) can plum tomatoes, chopped, any stalky ends and skin removed

　　1 (14-ounce/400g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

　　2 teaspoons garam masala

　　A good handful of cilantro, chopped

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　

Step 1

Cut the cauliflower into medium florets. Put into a large pan, cover with cold water, add some salt, and bring up to a rolling boil. This will partly cook the cauliflower. Take off the heat right away, drain well, and keep warm in the pan.

　　

Step 2

Heat the oil in a second large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring often.

　　

Step 3

Add the ground coriander, cumin, chile flakes, star anise, and some salt and pepper and cook for a further 5 minutes.

　　

Step 4

Add the tomatoes with their juice and the chickpeas. Stir well, then add the parcooked cauliflower. Pour in enough cold water to almost but not quite cover everything (1/3 to 3/4 cup/100 to 200ml) and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the cauliflower is tender.

　　

Step 5

Stir in the garam masala and half of the chopped cilantro, then check the seasoning. Serve scattered with the remaining cilantro and accompanied by rice, flat breads, or naan.

　　Reprinted with permission from _River Cottage Veg: 200 Inspired Vegetable Recipes _ by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson. Copyright © 2011 by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall; photographs copyright © 2011 by Simon Wheeler. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisherHugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a renowned British broadcaster, writer, farmer, educator, and campaigner for sustainably produced food. He is the James Beard Award-winning author of seven books. Hugh established the River Cottage farm in Dorset, England in 1998. Visit www.rivercottage.net.