Malai Kofta

Malai Kofta

Ingredients 

1. For Koftas

A. Paneer 350 grams

B. Potato 1 big

C. Green chillies 11/4 tbsp

D. Chilli powder 1/2 tsp 

E. Coriander powder 3/4 to 1 tsp 

F. Coriander leaves 2 tbsp 

G. Raisins 4 tbsp

H. Halved Cashews 3 tbsp 

I. Salt to taste 

J. Corn starch 1/4 cup needed only if your going to deep fry the koftas

2. For The Gravy 

A. Onions chopped 2 cups

B. Tomatoes a little more than a cup

C. Cumin seeds/jeera 1 tsp

D. Green chillies 4

E. Halved cashews 23

F. Ginger chopped 1 tsp

G. Garlic chopped 1 tbsp

H. Poppy seeds/khus-khus

I. Coriander powder 1 tsp

J. Chilli powder 1/2 tsp 

K. Garam masala 1/2 tsp 

L. Heavy whipping cream 6 tbsp 

M. Water 13/4 cups

Method Of Preparation 

1. Preparation Of The Koftas

A. Boil the potato. When it's cooled, wipe the potato dry & mash it well & keep it aside. 

B. In a bowl, add paneer & crumble it into very small pieces.

C. Add the mashed potatoes to the crumbled paneer. 

D. Add chilli powder, coriander powder, green chillies, coriander leaves, raisins & cashews & mix it well. 

E. Make balls/Koftas out of the mixture & keep it covered aside on a plate.

F. Here, I have fried the koftas in the appe pan to keep it healthy. If you don't have an appe pan or if you don't want to do it on the pan, then you can deep fry them. If your deep frying, make sure to roll the balls in corn starch & then deep fry them. 

2. Preparation Of The Gravy

A. In a pan, add oil. Add the cumin seeds. When the seeds splutter, add green chillies.

B. Now add the cashew nuts.

C. Now add the poppy seeds.

D. Now add ginger & garlic.

E. Now add the onions & cook till they turn translucent.

F. Add the tomatoes & cook till they turn soft.

G. Let the mixture cool & then grind it to a fine paste. 

H. Add oil in a pan. Add the ground paste & cook this on a low-medium flame for 2 minutes. There will be a lot of splattering so you need to keep stirring this continuously.

I. After 2 minutes, add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder & 1/4 tsp garam masala. Mix everything together & cook for 2 minutes. 

J. Add water to the mixture & cook for a minute. 

K. Add the whipping cream & mix it well & cook for 45 seconds. 

L. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp Garam masala & give it a stir & cook for 10 seconds & turn off the gas. Add the chopped coriander leaves. 

M. Add the koftas to the gravy after 10 minutes. 

Notes

1. You will be able to make proper balls only if the mixture is dry. If the mixture is watery, you will not be able to make balls, do make sure all the ingredients especially the potato & paneer is dry.

2. If you feel you are not able to make proper balls or of your koftas are breaking, then add a little more mashed potatoes or bread crumbs.

3. Roll the balls in corn starch & deep fry them if you want them crispy.

4. Adjust the quantity of spices in the koftas & gravy as per your spice level tolerance.