Recipe-o'-clock: Make this creamy malai kofta at home
Malai kofta is a luxurious dish from North Indian cuisine, revered for its rich, creamy texture and aromatic flavors. It's a vegetarian delight that consists of deep-fried potato and paneer balls (koftas) drenched in a smooth, spiced gravy. With its roots in Mughlai cuisine, this dish is a testament to the fusion of Indian cooking techniques with Persian influences. Check out this recipe!
Gather the following ingredients
For this recipe, you will need 200 gm of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), two large potatoes, two tablespoons of cornflour, finely chopped green chilies, coriander, salt to taste, two cups of tomato puree, one cup of heavy cream, two onions, ginger-garlic paste, cashews, garam masala, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
Crafting the perfect koftas
Begin by boiling and mashing the potatoes. Crumble the paneer and mix it with the mashed potatoes, adding cornflour for binding. Season with salt, green chilies, and coriander. Shape this mixture into small balls and deep fry them until golden brown. These succulent koftas should be set aside as we prepare the aromatic gravy that will act as their luxurious bath.
Simmering the silky gravy
For the gravy, saute finely chopped onions in oil until they turn translucent. Stir in ginger-garlic paste until aromatic. Add tomato puree alongside ground cashews to introduce depth and creaminess. Now comes the symphony of spices garam masala, turmeric powder, and red chili powder all dancing together as they simmer gently. Finish with heavy cream and kasuri methi for that signature velvety texture.
Assembling the masterpiece
With both components prepared the velvety gravy and tender koftas, it's time to unite them in a culinary embrace. Gently place the koftas into the simmering gravy just before serving to maintain their integrity. Once you are done, allow them to warm through for a few minutes so they can absorb some of that spiced goodness.
Garnish and serve
Finally, the last step is to garnish your malai kofta with fresh coriander leaves or a swirl of cream for an inviting presentation that beckons taste buds to a feast. Additionally, you can serve this regal dish alongside naan bread or fragrant basmati rice to complete an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates India's rich vegetarian legacy. Happy eating!
