Malai Kofta
इस व्यंजन को हिन्दी में पढ़ें
Malai Kofta is one of the most popular vegetarian dish in America in the Indian restaurants. The word 'Kofte' has come from the Middle East, and these dishes have Mughlai influence. In India various vegetarian koftas are in vogue, because of a large vegetarian population. Koftas are delicious and rich delicacies. Vegetarian koftas can be made with vegetables, lentils beans etc. These koftas can be added in spicy curry, mild curry, green curry or some other curry of one’s creation and taste.
This recipe is for the delicious Malai Kofta. Malai is a Hindi word for cream. These Koftas are made of Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and potatoes and dipped in a rich curry of onion, tomato, khoya (evaporated milk), and cashew nuts with mild taste of spices. Malai kofta is one of the most popular festive dishes in our home. It is not hard to make malai kofta but it takes time to make it. So this festive season make malai kofta and please do share your valuable comments and suggestions. Happy cooking, Shuchi
cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients for Kofte(serves 4)
- Paneer (cottage cheese) 100 gms
- Boiled potatoes 4 medium
- Salt 1 tsp
- Red chili powder ¼ tsp
- Corn starch 1½ tbsp
- Raisins 16
- Chopped coriander leaves 1 tbsp
- Oil for frying
Ingredients for Curry
- Green chili 1-2
- Onion 1 medium
- Ginger 1 ½ inch piece
- Tomato puree ½
- cups
- Red chili powder ½ tsp
- Coriander powder 1 tsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Garam masala 1 tsp
- Cashew nuts ¼ cups
- Khoya/ mawa ½ cups
- Butter/ oil 2-3 tbsp
- Chopped coriander leaves 1 tbsp
- Water about 2 1/2 cups
Method of preparation for Kofte
- Peel and mash the potatoes. Mash paneer thoroughly.
- In a bowl take mashed potators,paneer, salt, red chili powder, corn flour and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well all the ingredients.
- Divide potato paneer mixture in 16 parts. Take a portion, round it and flatten it to disc. keep a raisin in the center and close the ball. Smooth it and make round or oval shape kofta balls.
- Repeat the process and make all the kofta balls. I have made oval koftas but you can make round or flat as you wish.
- In a wok heat oil. Deep fry kofta on medium heat until golden red. If you are making kofta for the first time it is better to fry one kofta first to check. If kofta are breaking add a little more cornflour.
- Take out the koftas on kitchen paper. Deep fry all the koftas and keep aside.
Method of Preparation for Curry
- Remove the skin of onions. Wash and cut onions into small pieces. peel, wask and chop ginger and kepp aside.
- Soak cashew nuts in warm water for 5-10 minutes. In the grinder make a fine paste of cashews.
- In a wok heat 2 teaspoon butter. Fry onions until golden red. turn aff the heat. Let it cool. You can also fry ginger with onions.
- Make a fine paste of fried onions, ginger, and green chili.
- In the wok heat butter/ghee. Add the onion paste and fry till it leave the sides of the pan. It takes about 5 minutes to fry onion paste.
- Add red chili powder, and coriander powder in the fried onion and fry for another minute.
- Add tomato puree, salt and garam masala. Fry until masala leaves the sides of the pan.(takes 4-5 minutes).
- Add cashew paste and fry for a couple of minutes.
- Grate/scramble the khoya. Mix in a cup of warm water. Make a smooth paste.
- Add khoya paste in the fried masala and let it boil. Add more water if the curry is very thick. Take a boil and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Curry is ready, turn off the heat.
- Arrange malai kofta in a serving dish. Pour curry onto the koftas at the time of serving.
- Serve delicious and delicate Malai Kofta with the rotis/poori... ( Indian breads) of your choice .
Some Tips and Suggestions:
- Do not soak the koftas in the curry in advance, since malai koftas are very delicate and they will get mashed up in the curry.
- If you do not find khoya in your area, boil one and a half cup of milk, reduce the heat and evaporate half of the milk. Use this freshly made khoya for the curry.
- Arrange the koftas in the serving dish and then pour curry on top of the koftas.
- You can also use cream instead of cashew paste.
- I do not use turmeric in malai koftas curry but if you like orange colored curry add a pinch of turmeric.