Malai Kofta Curry

Malai Kofta classic dish of Moghul origin is a rich, decadent dish usually prepared during special occasions. Deep fried vegetable balls are prepared and simmered in a special creamy sauce/curry and served along with rice and rotis/Naans (Indian flat bread).

Whenever we go to a new Indian Restaurant we order this along with Rice and Naans. It is one of our family favorite and one that everybody agrees on without any heated discussions. It is usually a safe choice when having to choose amongst 25 other entrée choices from the Menu card. Fair or not, we also base our judgment about the restaurant and its quality based on the taste of Malai Kofta. If that appeals to our taste buds, then we know that we will visit the restaurant again to try out their other dishes and also recommend it to other friends.

Ordering and enjoying at restaurant is straight forward and an easy thing to do. But preparing this at home is totally different. It is tedious and labor intensive, but when done the right way the results are worth the effort. I have learnt over the years that the trick to make the curry is to make it rich and creamy and infuse it with the correct spices. Also it is necessary to go easy handed with oil while making the curry.

As I have mentioned earlier the vegetable balls are deep fried and then added to the curry. However after some of my experiments with Appe Ponganalu/Paniyaram/Uniyappam I have used the (Aebleskiver Pan) pan/skillet here to make the vegetable/ potato balls. This cuts down on the calories, but there is definitely no compromise on taste. If there is any concern about using the Aebleskiver Pan or if it is not available then by all means please deep fry the vegetable balls. The preparation can be used more as a guideline and can be aptly adapted to suit one’s taste and needs.

Malai Kofta Curry Recipe

Serves : 3-4 people

• Ingredients:

• Potato Balls (Kofta)

• 1 large potato peeled, boiled mashed (make sure this is not watery and that the water is completely drained)
• ½ cup paneer grated
  1 green chilli minced finely

• ½ cup peas boiled

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 plain sandwich bread (sides removed)

• ½ tsp garam masala

• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• ½ cup chopped coriander

• ½ cup chopped onion

• salt
• ½ cup maida (only if deep frying)
  oil
  

Cooked Potato in the Aebleskiver Pan

Creamy Curry

• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes chopped
• 3 garlic pods (grated)
• 2 tsp ginger grated

• 8 cloves

• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 cup half-and-half (full fat milk)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp kasuri methi

• 1 tbsp Cumin-Coriander Powder

• pinch turmeric

• 2 tsp red chilli powder

• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 8 whole cashews (soaked for at least 2 hours)
• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 tsp poppy seeds

• salt
• oil

Potato Balls ready to be devoured

Method:
To make the Koftas: (No fry Koftas)

• Take the bread, rinse in water and squeeze to remove all the water.
• Take a big plate and in it combine mashed potatoes along with peas, paneer, minced chili, coriander leaves, cumin, salt, soaked bread, all powders and onion.
• Make sure that you can form a big lump. Now form this mixture take small parts out and make into 1-inch balls. Check for seasonings.
• If deep frying: Make a thick batter with the flour, salt and water. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Dip the potato balls into batter to coat completely, and deep-fry until brown on all the sides. Keep aside.

• If using Aebleskiver Pan: (You can buy the pan from here) Heat the pan and add little oil in all the groves. When it is medium hot, add the potato balls in the groves. With in a minute turn it on all the sides and make sure it browns evenly. This cooks very fast so be very careful. Keep aside.

Sinfully decadent curry with the potato balls

• To make the curry/gravy:
• Grind the cashews along with poppy seeds, water and make a thick paste.
• Take a heavy bottom pan, add oil, butter and when hot add the cloves, cinnamon. Next add the grated ginger and garlic paste. Mix well until light brown.
• Next add the diced onions and fry until transparent.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, salt and mix well. (Adding salt to the tomatoes helps it cook faster.)
• Add the turmeric, chilli powder, sugar, garam masala, cumin coriander powder and mix well. Add more oil if required. Allow this to cool.
• After this is cooled blend this in a mixer along with ½ cup milk.
• Add little oil to a pan and then add the above paste. Next add the remaining half and half (or full fat milk), cashew poppy seed paste and stir well. When this is almost add the cream and mix.
• Check for seasonings, and adjust per taste. Finally add the kasuri methi. The creamy sauce is now ready.
• Transfer the prepared ball into this mixture and allow to simmer for a little time.

Serve hot with warm rotis/ naan and rice!