Try this quick and easy Kheera cucumber and tomato curry side dish. This delicious recipe can be prepared in just 10 minutes.
I used to throw dinner parties for my mother and my brother. I would pretend I ran a restaurant and set the table up all posh with the fine china (Royal Albert Old Country Roses—the whole set!) and the silver cutlery, which was kept in its own velvet-lined box, reserved for special occasions.
I’d hand write out the menu and hand it to my dinner guests, bustling about the kitchen preparing and then serving them their dinner. The meal was usually a simple roast chicken with all the trimmings and perhaps a cake or fruit crumble for afters, but my nearly 40-year-old self is rather impressed with the enterprise of my 13-year-old youth.
Things haven’t changed much, and I still enjoy throwing themed dinner parties; any excuse for an extravagant feast?
Due to the presence of a Kheera cucumber in my last veg box delivery, an Indian feast night was calling to be had.
Ingredients for cucumber tomato curry
- 170 grams of Kheera cucumber, cut into pieces
- 190 grams of fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1/2 tbsp black mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 1/2 large fresh red chilli, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp Shetland sea salt
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 5Â whole curry leaves
Scroll down for the full printable recipe.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small saucepan and then add all the spices. Cook until the seeds start to pop.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for two minutes, until they begin to soften and reduce.
- Add the chopped cucumber and cook for a further three or four minutes, until the cucumber begins to soften but still retains some of its crunch.
What is a Kheera cucumber?
Kheera cucumbers are a hardy Indian heirloom crop with a yellow flesh that eventually turns brown upon ripening.
They are crisp, sweet and, according to the paper bag they came in from my veg box producers, they can be bitter if eaten raw, so I made mine into a curry side dish slightly adapted from this recipe.
What to serve with this kheera cucumber curry
I spent a very enjoyable day pottering in my kitchen, cooking dishes for our Indian-themed feast. A friend had told me about a Navarathna khuruma they’d enjoyed in a restaurant in India: nine types of vegetables and fruits cooked in a rich Indian white gravy. I thought I’d try and recreate that recipe, so I went to my friend Kavita over at Kavey Eats – her mother, Mamta Gupta, has been sharing her traditional Indian family recipes online since 2001 at Mamta’s Kitchen.
I found a recipe for navratan murg korma that sounded appealing (pictured below, left) and this was made in the slow cooker. Although it was nothing like the vegetarian dish he’d enjoyed it was still incredibly tasty – and spicy despite me reducing the green chilli content down to just half of one!
I made Bombay Potatoes from Sarah over at Tales from the Kitchen Shed to accompany. These I prepped earlier in the day, parboiling them in turmeric and salt, coating them in the spice mixture, and leaving them to chill in the fridge until needed. A quick 20-minute roast in the oven, and bam—super tasty, quick, and easy Bombay potatoes! This recipe (pictured below, right) will appear regularly in our house.
I also made some cauliflower with fennel and mustard seeds from Madhur Jaffrey’s book Indian Cookery (1982). This is a relatively quick and effective way to jazz up cauliflower, and it makes a great side dish.
These were served in segments of a tiffin box a friend picked up for me while visiting India, along with a packet of pilau rice I had in the cupboard (ok, I was cheating!), some ready-made chapattis, and a bowl with natural yoghurt to cool things down a bit.
For dessert, I made carrot halwa from Carolyn Caldicott’s book Bombay Lunchbox (2014), for this traditional Indian sweet, whole cashews and slivered raw almonds are toasted in butter and then set aside.
Grated carrots are cooked in the same butter until they wilt, then full-fat milk and cardamom powder are added. The mixture is reduced until the milk nearly evaporates, producing a sticky carrot syrup.
The nuts are stirred back in and can be served immediately or pressed into a pan and cut into small squares.
I used some organic rainbow carrots from my veg box for this, and there were quite a few white ones, resulting in (what I thought) a rather unappealing greyish-brown sludge.
I sprinkled over some more chopped nuts and popped it into the fridge and made a batch of Vanilla Chai Melting Moments as a Plan B.
Despite my initial reservations about its un-set appearance, I was pleased with how lovely the carrot halwa was. Dense and chewy with a sweet milk cardamom-infused carrot flavour, it finished the meal well, especially when served with a sweet Bollywood chai latte. This blend of traditional Indian spices and almonds is paired with a delicious full-bodied Assam tea.
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Kheera Cucumber and Tomato Curry
Ingredients
- 170 grams Kheera cucumber cut into pieces
- 190 grams fresh ripe tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1/2 tbsp black mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 1/2 large fresh red chilli finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp Shetland sea salt
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 5 whole curry leaves
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InstructionsÂ
- Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a small saucepan and then add 1/2 tbsp black mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds, 1/2 large fresh red chilli, 1/2 tsp Shetland sea salt, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp garam masala5 whole curry leaves. Cook until the seeds start to pop.
- Add 190 grams fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped, and cook for two minutes, until they begin to soften and reduce.
- Add 170 grams Kheera cucumber, chopped, and cook for a further three or four minutes, until the cucumber begins to soften but still retains some of its crunch.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Other curry recipes you might like
Other Indian dishes you might like
Mamta’s Delicious Lucknowi-Style Lamb Biryani by Kavey Eats
Moru Kachiyathu with Mango and Bananas by Citrus Spice UK
Tarka Daal by The Hedgecombers
Courgette and Poppy Seed Muffins
Sounds so appealing and delicious. Thanks for sharing
It’s a great idea to spend quality time together
I love the recipes they look and sounds amazing my chap would love these
The dishes all look beautiful with fantastic flavour combinations.
The food sounds amazing and I love the idea of a foody date night. Perfect for us as we’re a foody couple!
We love curry so would truly love to,try this subscription
Looks delicious. Perfect for me and my husband. Will look forward to trying this.
Looks gorgeous. This recipe sounds very delicious. Fabulous.
I’ve never actually cooked with cucumber before or even thought of doing so. I’d love to try this- sounds gorgeous, I can practically smell it from here!
It looks delicious and fairly easy to make, even I would give it a try.
Looks and sounds delicious! I have bookmarked the recipe :p x
It looks amazing, I especially love the henna tattoos
The meal looks fantastic – there’s so much to it – and always think that Indian food is completed by the sides 🙂
Looks yummy, would love to give it a go x
looks awesome will def hinting at hubby to make this.
Sounds delicious and such an innovative way to use cucumber. I definitely want to try it.
Looks gorgeous. My boyfriend and I love curry so definitely a great idea for date night!
sounds delicious with a great and wide range of items.
This has made me feel so hungry!! Your pictures are amazing 🙂
I think this would be a fantastic idea for a date night. I am thinking of introducing date nights for me and the old man and this would be a great start.
This sounds delicious, I love trying out new meal ideas, things get really boring when you get stuck in your ways
As a bunch of foodies we think it was excellent and we’d love to win some us time 🙂
Has My son is a veggie ,Will be making for family dinner soon ,so yummy
It sounds lovely ,would like to give it a try, it’s so easy to get set in your ways when it comes to meals!
The meal looks yummy i know my other half would love me to make it
It looks amazing! I need it in my belly right now xxxx
It looks yummy and a perfect meal for us to share.
Looks very yummy, my boyfriend and I love Indian / currys. Thank you for the lovely giveaway xx
Looks tasty and exciting, can’t wait to cook it
It looks delicious & such a different idea for a date night
ooh it looks lovely what a fab idea!
It looks lush, looks & smells yummy 🙂
Looks delicious.
Your Indian Summers date night meal looks delicious, particularly the sweet treats!
The meal looks fabulous, very authentic with some unusual ingredients I’ve not tried before.
Looks so delicious! Would love to cook it. I love spicy & hot dishes!
It actually looks mouth watering, different to our normal food but very tasty I would imagine 🙂
it looks really yummy and something different from what we would usually have
I think your indian summers date night meal looks very nice and i bet it tasted amazing.
It looks absolutely delicious and is something I would like to try, not sure if mine would turn out to be so yummy looking though
I’ve never heard of cucumber in a curry before. I usually use the contents of my veg drawer so pare heaps I should be a bit more selective!
Is sound like a lovely version of a vegetarian curry that should satisfy meat eaters too
Fantastic post, and a great idea
It looks amazing, we really want to give it a go
Looks delicious, Andy and I love cooking together, this would be wonderful for a special date night meal
Nothing like exotic flavours to make for a romantic night in!
It looks and sounds delicious and something we would enjoy.
It looks delicious. I love the idea of a date night subscription box.
I love a meat free curry! This looks fab!
Looks amazing and at last us vegetarians are being considered, not sure my meat loving husband would feel but I AM LOVING THIS!
I think the Indian summers date night meal looks delicious.
It looks amazing, we would love to try this!
It looks delicous and such a great idea
Beautiful blog, lovely pictures and yummy sounding food.
#BloggerClubUK
It looks delicious and what a great idea for a subscription box
Looks delicious. What a feast! #bloggerclubuk
it looks lovely but I don’t eat Indian food so couldn’t use it
I think the box looks fantastic and would love to try it
This is fantastic, I love the idea of the just us box! checking it out 🙂 xx #BloggerClubUK
It looks really tasty! A fab idea for a subscription box too.
My mouth is watering. I love Indian food. The pictures on your post are beautiful and I love the personal stories interspersed with your recipes and the Just Us box. #bloggerclubuk
That ring is just beautiful and it’s like a strange destiny type of thing with all the Indian themed things falling into place. The curry looks delicious!! Discovered your blog from the Bloggerclub linky 🙂
It looks lovely – not my type of food but I love the idea and know many people who would eat it if I cooked
Great post and recipe – really loved your photos. Will be back to read more!
Cute story about the teenager throwing themed dinner parties! A ring doesn’t have to be expensive or be all show-offy, it’s all about the intention behind it. Interesting recipe!
Never heard of a Kheera Cucumber and impressed with you getting such exotic goods in your box.
Wow! You look like quite the cook. I could never host dinner parties, my cooking is awful 🙂 x
I have never tried kheera cucumber! This sounds absolutely fantastic and so fragrant. Curry is on the top of my comfort food list this year 🙂
It looks amazing i only wish i could smell it…. i would love to tuck right in
Really lovely article. So true about not getting out for dates much as a parent. I’ve just been experimenting with boxes myself too. One thing though…Victoria mourned her husband Albert…not Edward! 🙂
I love all the stories you’ve woven into this post! From your family dinner parties (love the nostalgia of that Roses pattern china!) to the story of your ring, it’s so lovely. The Just Us date box seems so magical and that it evoked a lot of fun and memories!
It looks and sounds delicious. I will have to give this a go, and see what the family think.
I’ve never heard of a kheera cucumber, how interesting! I love the story about your new wedding ring. It’s so pretty 🙂
this looks outstanding !!!! i love the photos too looks beautiful x
Wow, I love to try this recipe its sounds amazing and I bet it’s very delicious. Definitely save this post and planning to try this out. Thank you for sharing.
Looks ace! Indian is my favourite cuisine.
This recipe sounds very delicious Elizabeth. I will be trying it.
What a fab idea and your recipe sounds lush! We love Indian food although it’s on hold for me at the moment due to cutting down 🙂 x
Nice prize!
Your photography is beautiful to look at. I love how ambitious and passionate you was about cooking from a young age. It’s paid off. This look and sounds delicious, I love potatoes and a curry.
I’ve never even heard of this type of curry but now I want to make it right away. Great find, great idea!
What a beautiful story and a fabulous meal. I love your date night meal and how cool that you chose to use Kavey’s Mum’s recipe.
Well I’m not much of a cook, however the date box is a great idea. I’ll be swinging over to their site now. Thanks for sharing your find x
It sounds intriguing and fun and perfectly enjoyable – all the things a date night meal should be to me
Your date night sounds great fun, and the menu sounds fantastic – I’ve been admiring Sarah’s bombay potatoes for ages, will add in some of the other lovely recipes when I finally get around to making them 🙂
Hurrah its a veggie recipe and even better its my favourite Indian, I love the sound of the kheera curry and its lovely that your ring was blessed in India!
made in food heaven love the idea
A nice combination and looks delicious. Did not realise Bombay potatoes was so easy to make
Yummy! I really love the sound of this, everything looks so delicious.
it sounds great – i would love to try this at home
Wow, I think it is a great idea, love the themes they do, and you really made a night of it, it sounds great fun
looks yummy
wow…. stunning photos as always… i can almost smell the curry … looks amazing
My husband is such a big fan of curry and I love cucumber! Perfect combination 🙂
Looks like a really unique way to keep date nights exciting and have interesting moments together.
What a feast! The date box sounds so sweet and fun! Love the idea! Glad mum’s chicken recipe was enjoyable!
I have never heard of a kheera cucumber before. It looks lovely and the food looks stunning! Thank you for the recipe! Your ring is just beautiful what a fantastic story!
It looks lovely and tasty. I would want to try it certainly
If it tastes as good as it looks it will be absolutely fabulous
It sounded so fabulous and looked so yummy i love that it is just so colourful!
You’re a born story teller Elizabeth. Loved hearing about your early kitchen endeavours and your wedding ring. I can see these date night boxes being right up your street 🙂
This looks gorgeous and really different! I’ve never even heard of some of the things you used!
It looks amazing and I would love to try it
It looks and sounds wonderful. I do love Indian food. And your photography is stunning.
It looks delicious! I do love a good curry and this one looks divine!
It looks amazing, I think we’ll have to give that a go one weekend! x
Those melting moments sound right up our street – and I’m going to have to search out this cauliflower recipe!
It looks really tasty, lovely and colourful and full of healthy ingredients. It looks so enjoyable!
these meals look very tasty and I would love to try cauliflower with fennel
Well, I read the title and thought, “Cucumber? In a curry? No, just, no. It’s madness!”. But I took the time to read and educate myself and it sounds really different and delicious and being lucky enough to live close to Asian supermarkets and grocers I’m off to see if they have any! I know, however, that carrot halwa is lovely!
it does look nice and shouldn’t be too hard to make
It looked so delicious! Me and the other half are foodies so we would have loved this box. Were the Indian sweets included too? They looked delicious.
im not very adventurous when it comes to food but it sounds delicious !
That looks absolutely amazing, I’m definitely going to give that cucumber and tomato curry a go next weekend!
That meal looks fabulous and I’ve not even heard of half of the things you made!
Aww, I love your ring, it’s so simple and pretty 🙂
Janie x