Lucknowi Malai Kofta Curry( Veg/NV Balls in Curry)

Koftas are actually vegetable or meat balls in a spicy curry. They can be made with potatoes filled with a mix of veggies or paneer or cheese or any other vegetable grated and bound by corn flour. This is healthy and nutritious for children who run away from greens.

Ingredients:

For Koftas:
6 medium sized boiled potatoes (mashed)
2 sp corn flour
½ cup bread crumbs
½ tsp salt

For Stuffing:
1 cup grated paneer
2sp Coriander leaves (finely chopped)
Chaat masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste.

(Paneer can be alternated with a mix of finely grated cabbage,cauliflower,carrot, peas and capsicum sautéd in 1sp oil on low heat.)

Koftas can be made with 400 gms of minced meat with 2 sp garlic , ginger and Chillies paste and salt added to it. That makes it a Non-Vegetarian dish.

For The Gravy:

500 Gms onion (finely chopped)
20 cloves garlic (finely grated)
2 inch piece ginger (finely grated)
2 Green Chillies (finely chopped)
300 gms tomatoes (grated)1cup ghee / butter
1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp degi mirch powder
1tsp coriander powder
4 bay leaves
2 cups water
2sp garam masala powder
½ cup fresh cream/malaiSalt to Taste

Method:

Add the corn flour and salt to the mashed potatoes and prepare neat dough. Make small size balls from it and keep aside. Prepare the stuffing’s by mixing all the ingredients. Take one prepared ball and spread it on your palm put the stuffing inside it and again cover it. Repeat this process with each of the balls. Roll them in the bread crumbs. Now deep fry them on slow heat. Koftas are ready.

Take 2 sp oil in a pan add the garlic and ginger to it. Then put the onions and fry till golden brown. Add green Chillies, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, degi mirch, coriander powder, bay leaves and tomatoes. Stir fry till starts leaving the oil Add the peanut powder and fry for 2 mins. Add the malai and garam masala.. Add water and let it simmer on low heat for few mins.
Serve hot with the Koftas. Garnish with coriander leaves and fresh cream.