Snake beans, the slightly heartier cousin of green beans, are the star of this dish. They are so named for their length and dark ends that could be mistaken for a snake’s head. If you happen to come across the more unusual wing beans with their ruffled frills, add a good handful to your curry near the end of the cooking time. A Madras curry mix or a French-style curry powder called vadouvan works well here. Serve with steamed rice or quinoa. –CG
250g9 oz pumpkin (squash), peeled, deseeded and cut into 4 cm (1½ inch) chunks
2carrots - cut on the diagonal, into chunks
200g7 oz cauliflower, cut into florets
300g10½ oz snake (yard-long) beans, cut into 5 cm (2 in) lengths
250ml1 cup coconut milk
unsalted roasted cashews and pumpkin seeds - to serve
handful of fresh coriander - cilantro, to serve
Instructions
Heat the peanut oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add the tofu, mustard seeds and turmeric and cook, gently stirring occasionally, for 2–3 minutes, until the tofu is well coated and lightly browned. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.
Add the onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2–3 minutes, or until just tender. Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add a little of the stock and stir to deglaze the pan and loosen any tasty bits stuck to the bottom. Add the pumpkin, carrot and remaining stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower and snake beans then cover again and cook for a further 8 minutes.
Stir in the coconut milk and return the tofu to the pan, resting it on top of the vegetable mixture. Cook for a final 5 minutes, or until the tofu is heated through and all the vegetables are tender.
Serve scattered with cashews, pumpkin seeds and coriander