Malai Kofta: A Creamy and Delicious Indian Dish

Malai Kofta is a popular Indian dish that consists of soft and delicious potato and paneer balls in a rich and creamy gravy. It is a perfect dish for special occasions, family dinners, or when you want to impress your guests with your cooking skills.

This dish is a great choice for vegetarians, but non-vegetarians also love it for its spicy and creamy taste. The soft potato and paneer balls soak up the deliciously spicy gravy, making each bite a burst of flavorful goodness.

Ingredients

For Kofta

• 2 cups boiled potatoes
• 1 cup crumbled paneer
• 2 tbsp corn flour
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp green chili paste
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup chopped cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp chopped raisins

For Gravy

• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp green chili paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves

Cooking Steps

Making the Kofta

1. In a large bowl, mash the boiled potatoes until they are smooth.
2. Add crumbled paneer, corn flour, ginger paste, garlic paste, green chili paste, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
3. Add chopped cashew nuts and raisins to the mixture and mix again.
4. Shape the mixture into small balls.
5. Heat oil in a pan and fry the balls until they are golden brown.
6. Remove from the oil and keep aside.

Making the Gravy

1. In the same pan used for frying the kofta, heat some more oil.
2. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add chopped onions, ginger paste, garlic paste, and green chili paste. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they are soft.
5. Add coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook for a few minutes.
6. Blend the mixture into a smooth paste.
7. Heat the same pan again, add the gravy paste and cream. Mix well.
8. Cook the mixture for a few minutes and then add the fried kofta.
9. Simmer the gravy for 5 minutes.
10. Add chopped coriander leaves.
11. Serve hot with rice or naan bread.

Variations

Vegetarian/Vegan Version

To make this dish vegetarian or vegan, simply replace the paneer with tofu and cream with coconut cream. You can also use a vegan alternative to corn flour.

Healthier Version

To make this dish healthier, you can bake the kofta instead of frying them. You can also use low-fat cream or skip it entirely.

Spicier Version

If you love spicy food, you can add more green chili paste or red chili powder to the gravy.

Nut-Free Version

If you have a nut allergy, you can skip the cashew nuts and raisins in the kofta.

Malai Kofta is a delicious and creamy Indian dish that is sure to impress your guests. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Try this recipe today and enjoy the flavorful goodness of Malai Kofta!

FAQ

What is Malai Kofta?

Malai Kofta is a popular vegetarian Indian dish made with deep-fried potato and paneer (Indian cottage cheese) balls served in a creamy tomato-based gravy.

What are the ingredients needed to make Malai Kofta?

The ingredients needed to make Malai Kofta include potatoes, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cashews, cream, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, green chilies, spices, and oil.

Is Malai Kofta vegan?

No, Malai Kofta is not vegan as it contains paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cream, and ghee (clarified butter).

Can I make Malai Kofta without deep-frying the koftas?

Yes, you can bake the koftas in the oven or air-fry them instead of deep-frying them for a healthier version of the dish.

How do I make the Malai Kofta gravy creamy?

To make the Malai Kofta gravy creamy, you can add cashew paste or cream to the tomato-based gravy.

Can I make Malai Kofta in advance?

Yes, you can make the koftas and gravy in advance and refrigerate them separately. When ready to serve, reheat the gravy and koftas separately and combine them.

What can I serve with Malai Kofta?

Malai Kofta is usually served with naan bread, roti, or rice.

How long does Malai Kofta last in the fridge?

Malai Kofta can last for 3-4 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze Malai Kofta?

Yes, you can freeze Malai Kofta for up to 1 month in the freezer. When ready to serve, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in a pan or microwave.

How spicy is Malai Kofta?

The level of spiciness in Malai Kofta can vary based on the amount of green chilies or red chili powder used. You can adjust the spice level to your taste.