Malai Kofta is a vegetarian delicasy that goes very well with naan and pulav. It is a vegetarian version of meatballs. In this small balls made out of grated vegetables(koftas) are fried/baked and dipped in a creamy rich sauce. It is an all time favorite in any indian restaurant. The non veg version of the same can be made by substituting the vegetable balls with meat balls which can be called meatball malai kofta.
Ingredients
To make Kofta
Potatos- 2 (Boiled and Mashed)
Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Cauliflower, green peas, sweet corn etc) - 1 1/2 cup (Cooked)
Grated paneer/ cheese - 1 cup
Bread slice - 1 (Soaked in water )
Bread crumbs - 1/2 packet or as needed
Chilli Powder -1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp or as needed
Oil -for frying
Green Chilli - 1 (Cut into small pieces)
For Gravy
Onions - 2 or 3 (pureed)
Tomatoes - 4 or 5 (pureed)
Ginger Garlic green chilly paste - 2 tblsp
Cashews - 4-5 (powdered)
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Corriander, Cumin powder - 2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Thick Cream - 3/4 cup
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - for garnish
Preparation Steps
1.Cook Potatoes in cooker, grate or mash it and keep aside.
2.Grate/ Shred the veggies, boil it, drain the excess water and keep aside.
(Squeeze the veggies nicely to get rid of any water. This is very important otherwise the balls will break while frying. A simpler way is to microwave the veggies without water for 7-8 minutes)
3.Blend the onions and tomatoes seperately and keep aside
4.Soak one bread slice in 1/4 cup of water, squeeze it and shred it.
5.Grind Ginger garlic along with green chilli for both gravy and koftas
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Method
To make Kofta
1.Take a mixing bowl and mix the boiled and grated potatoes, veggies, bread slice and paneer. (Squeeze the veggies nicely to get rid of any water. This is very important otherwise the balls will break while frying.)
2.Add chilli powder, garam masala, salt and green chillies.
3.Add some bread crumbs to the mixture if it is moist. Koftas will break off while frying if it is moist.
(Tip :- Add some cooked rice while making balls. This will make solid balls and prevent them from braking easily.)
4.Make kofta balls and roll over the bread crumbs. You can even make koftas in oval shape.
5.Fry the balls in oil and put in paper towel.
To make Gravy
1.Heat butter/oil in a pan and saute the blended onions for a while until light brown
2.Add ginger-garlic-green chilly paste and saute it.
3.Add tomato puree and saute until everything is blended and oil oozes out of the gravy.
4.Now add chilli powder, corriander powder, garam masala, salt and saute . .
5.Add water as needed. (Add little corn flour mixed in hot water to the gravy if you want a thicker gravy).
6.Taste and check whether the gravy has enough salt and little sweetish. (Add little sugar if you want it little more sweeter)
7.Next add butter, heavy cream and cashew powder to the gravy. Stir for 3-5 minutes and switch off.
8.Arrange the kofta balls in a flat pan and pour the gravy over it just before serving.
9.Garnish with fresh heavy cream, cheddar cheese or coriander leaves.
Tips
- You can substitute minced meat instead of the veggies to make meatball kofta.
- You can saute the onions and tomatoes before pureeing it too.
