Malai kofta

Malai Kofta is a popular Indian dish made from deep fried balls (kofta) of paneer (cottage cheese), potatoes, nuts and spices, served in a creamy and spicy tomato based gravy. The term 'Malai' means cream and 'Kofta' refers to the fried balls. This dish is often served in Indian restaurants and is a favorite among vegetarians.

Ingredients

The main ingredients of Malai Kofta include Paneer, potatoes, cream (malai), onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, cashew nuts, raisins, green chillies, coriander leaves, and various Indian spices such as cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, and salt.

Preparation

The preparation of Malai Kofta involves two main steps: making the koftas and preparing the gravy. The koftas are made by mashing paneer and boiled potatoes together, adding finely chopped nuts, raisins, and spices, and then shaping the mixture into balls. These balls are then deep fried until golden brown.

The gravy is prepared by sautéing onions, ginger, and garlic in oil, adding tomatoes and spices, and cooking until the tomatoes are soft. The mixture is then blended into a smooth paste. Cream is added to the paste to give it a rich and creamy texture. The fried koftas are added to the gravy just before serving.

Variations

There are several variations of Malai Kofta, including Paneer Kofta, Lauki Kofta, and Cabbage Kofta. These variations use different main ingredients for the koftas, but the preparation method and the gravy remain the same.

Serving

Malai Kofta is typically served with Indian breads such as Naan, Roti, or Rice. It is often garnished with fresh coriander leaves and cream.

See also

• Paneer
• Indian cuisine
• Kofta
• Naan
• Roti