Both these dishes belong to the South Indian cuisine and have coconut in it, but the preparation is very different from each other.  While the base of Vegetable Kurma is just made with coconut milk and is flavored with whole spices, the base of Veg Kurma is made with fresh coconut, poppy seeds, fresh coriander, tomatoes and also uses everyday spices powders.  Vegetable Stew is white in color, while Vegetable Kurma has a yellow orangish hint to it. Also, Vegetable Kurma is spicy when compared to Vegetable Stew, as stew has a very mild spice due to only green chilies.