Best Malai Kofta Recipes

MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Mash potatoes; cool to room temperature., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, paneer, cardamom and salt until combined. Spoon 2 tablespoons of potato mixture in lightly greased hands and flatten to 1/8-in. thick. Press a raisin and cashew in the center; bring sides up to enclose. Gently roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining potato mixture. Spritz fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches if needed, place balls in a single layer in basket lined with parchment. Cook until golden brown, 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, for the gravy, in a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker, combine tomatoes, yogurt, water, cashews, ginger garlic paste and 1 teaspoon red chili powder. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes. Quick-release pressure. Puree mixture using an immersion blender until smooth. Strain mixture, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Wipe insert clean., Select saute setting and adjust for medium heat; add ghee. When ghee is hot, add garam masala and remaining 1 teaspoon red chili powder; cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in strained tomato mixture and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until mixture is slightly thickened, 5-8 minutes. Add fenugreek and, if desired, cream; cook 1 minute. Pour mixture over kofta.

MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• For the kofta: Combine the mashed potatoes, cilantro, chiles, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Knead the mixture until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then set aside.
• Put the paneer in a food processor and pulse until crumbly. Add the nuts and dried fruit and pulse until the fruit is coarsely chopped and the nuts are broken into small pieces. (If the paneer is not salted, add a pinch of salt.) Transfer the paneer mixture to a small bowl.
• Form the mashed potato mixture into 8 equal balls. (A kitchen scale isn't necessary, but is helpful.) Form the paneer mixture into 8 equal balls. They don't have to be perfectly shaped, but it is much easier to stuff the potato balls when the paneer mixture has been squished into little balls.
• Hold a potato ball in the palm of your hand. Make an indentation with your thumb. Place a paneer ball into the concave hollow and push it in gently. Pinch the potato mixture around it and roll the potato ball in your palm to make a nice round shape. Repeat with the remaining potato and paneer balls. If the potato mixture is sticking to your hands and preventing you from rolling a smooth ball, dampen the palms of your hands with a little room-temperature water and continue rolling.
• Place the besan in a shallow bowl. Gently roll the stuffed balls in the besan. Transfer the coated balls to a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you make the sauce. (It is easier to fry the balls when they have rested and are cold.)
• For the sauce: Meanwhile, stir together the garam masala, Kashmiri chili powder, coriander, turmeric and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until combined. Set the spice mixture aside.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle until they darken slightly, about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to get a hint of color, 8 to 10 minutes. (Do not brown them, as that will affect the color of the sauce.)
• Add the garlic, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt, mix well and cook, stirring often, until the raw smell goes away, about 2 minutes. Add the spice mixture and cook, stirring often, until the oil comes out, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the cashews and add to the saucepan, then add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and cook until the tomato mixture is thickened and pasty, about 7 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
• Meanwhile, fry the kofta. Fill a large Dutch oven halfway with vegetable oil, attach a deep-fry thermometer and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet and place a paper towel over the rack. Carefully add half the balls, one at a time, and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the balls to the prepared rack. Repeat with the remaining balls.
• Transfer the cooled sauce to a blender, add 1 cup water and process until smooth. Transfer the sauce back to the saucepan. Add the cream and kasoori methi if using and heat over medium heat until simmering. It should have the consistency of a smooth carrot soup; Add more water, if needed, and adjust the salt to taste.
• Gently add the fried kofta and heat, occasionally shaking the pan gently to coat the balls, until hot, about 3 minutes.
• For serving: Garnish with the garam masala and cilantro leaves.

KHEEMA MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• Mix the ground beef, egg, green chile peppers, bread crumbs, ginger, garlic, garam masala, and salt together in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Shape the mixture into balls (koftas) about the size of limes.
• Heat 1 1/2 cups oil in a large, deep skillet or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry the koftas in the hot oil until browned and crispy on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes.
• To make the gravy, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Fry the garlic, ginger, red chili powder, garam masala, fennel seed, and salt in the hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes; stir the pureed tomatoes into the mixture and cook until the tomatoes are deep red in color, about 10 minutes. Add the water, fenugreek leaves, and the koftas to the mixture and simmer until thoroughly reheated, another 10 minutes. Pour the cream into the mixture and cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with cilantro to serve.

MALAI KOFTA (INDIAN CHEESE AND POTATO DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash.
• Combine mashed potatoes, grated paneer cheese, cornstarch, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl. Shape into approximately 8 small dumplings.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet; fry dumplings until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Place cashews and 1/4 cup water in a bowl; let stand at least 10 minutes. Puree mixture in a food processor.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet. Add chopped green chile pepper, ginger-garlic paste, and cumin seed; stir to combine. Add grated onion; cook and stir until light brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add tomato puree, ground coriander, salt, garam masala, ground turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until flavors are blended, about 5 minutes.
• Stir cashew puree, cream, and milk into tomato mixture; add water to thin. Add dumplings to the gravy just before serving.

MALAI KOFTA IN SPICY CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• THE KOFTA: Combine potatoes, peas, cheese, chile, coriander, cumin, salt, cashews and raisins.
• Form mixture into 1-inch balls.
• Make a batter with the flour and water. Season with pinch of salt, if desired.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees F in a deep fryer or large heavy saucepan.
• Dip balls into batter to coat completely, and deep-fry until brown (do not crowd), about 4 minutes. Set aside. (If you want the kebabs to remain firm, put them on a heated serving platter, and tent with foil. To serve, bring cream sauce to a boil and pour over koftas)
• THE SAUCE: Grind cashews, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and garlic with a little water to make a fine paste. Set aside.
• Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and saute until wilted; stir in ground paste and cook 2 minutes.
• Add turmeric, paprika, coriander, cayenne and salt. Stir in half-and-half and water. Reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes.
• Stir in cream. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Pour over koftas.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
• Note: Chick-pea flour (also called besan) may be purchased at Indian grocery stores.

BAKED MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• - For the Gravy:.
• Heat Oil in a medium pan.
• Add Onions and salt - saute until moisture is evaporated.
• Add Ginger and Garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add Pureed Tomatoes and cook until Oil separates from the mixture.
• Add in Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Red Chili
• Powder and Garam Masala - mix well.
• Add Evaporated Milk and stir.
• Add Milk to make the gravy to desired consistency.
• Add sugar to taste and check salt.
• Bring Gravy to a boil and switch off the stove.
• - For the Koftas:.
• In a microwave safe bowl, cook Peas and Carrot with 2-3 tablespoons of water for 3-4 minutes.
• Squeeze out all excess water from the above mixture.
• In a food processor with a chopper blade, process paneer.
• Add Boiled Potato and again process until a dough is formed.
• Remove dough from food processor and place into a bowl.
• Add Peas & Carrots, Cilantro, Cashews/Golden Raisins (reserve a little for garnishing), Salt, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder and Chaat Masala - knead well.
• Line a baking tray with foil and spray with Cooking Oil.
• Roll Koftas into small Golf Ball size balls and place on baking tray.
• Lightly spray Cooking Oil on all of the koftas.
• Place tray in the oven and Broil on High until koftas turn a golden brown.
• Flip koftas to the other side and broil once again until golden brown.
• Remove koftas from oven and allow them to cool slightly.
• Arrange koftas in a casserole dish and cover them with the gravy.
• Garnish with remaining cashews and raisins.
• Cover the dish and bake in the oven at 350 degrees (F) for 15-20 minutes.
• Serve hot with Naan or Rice.

MALAI KOFTA (STUFFED POTATO BALLS IN CREAM)

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients for the Koftas together.
• Divide the mixture into equal portions.
• Shape into balls.
• Flatten each ball.
• Place 1/2 tsp.
• of chopped nuts and raisins in the center of each ball.
• Close the ball (you may use a little water to seal the ball with your fingertips).
• Prepare all koftas in this way.
• Heat oil in a wok and deep fry the koftas till golden brown on either side.
• Remove onto clean paper napkins, allow the excess oil to drain and keep aside till you prepare the wonderful gravy.
• Now for the gravy.
• For that, heat 1 tbsp.
• of oil in a pot.
• Add the ginger-garlic paste.
• Saute for 4 minutes, stirring it continuously till it is golden in colour and the raw smell is gone.
• Add onions and fry till golden in colour.
• Add 2 tbsps.
• of water.
• Mix well.
• Add chilli, turmeric and corriander powders.
• Add 1/2 cup of water.
• Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add salt to taste.
• Add 1-2 tbsps.
• of cream and cook for a minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Place koftas in a serving dish.
• Pour the gravy over them.
• Garnish with mango powder, cream, almond flakes and corriander leaves.
• Serve hot.

VEGETABLE DUMPLING IN CREAM SAUCE - MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• 1. Grate boiled potatoes and Paneer. Add chopped green chilies, corn flour and salt. Mix well. 2. Divide into 16 equal sized balls. Stuff raisins into them. Deep fry in hot oil until slightly colored. Keep aside. These are koftas. 3. Heat oil in a Kadhai. Add Boiled Onion Paste and cook for 5 minutes. 4. Add Ginger Paste, Garlic Paste, coriander powder, turmeric powder and salt. Cook for a minute. Add tomato puree and red chili powder and cook on a medium flame for 8-10 minutes. Add Garam Masala Powder. 5. Dissolve milk powder in 1½ cup of water and add to the gravy. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes on a slow flame. Finish with fresh cream. 6. Put koftas in a serving dish and pour hot gravy on top.

MALAI KOFTA (VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS IN CURRY SAUCE)

Steps:

• Koftas:.
• Boil potatoes, drain, cool and grate 1 cup.
• Defrost 1 cup peas and carrots in microwave.
• Using cheesecloth, squeeze moisture out of peas & carrots.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine vegetables with grated potatoes.
• Grate 1 cup paneer and add to vegetable mixture.
• Add 1 small handful chopped cilantro, chopped green chiles, 2 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tbsp cumin powder, a sprinkle of chile powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
• Add medium-ground cashews and 1/8 cup raisins and mix well.
• With your hands, form into round koftas 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and roll in flour, coating all sides of koftas.
• Deep fry in oil in a wok or kadai until golden brown on each side and place on a paper towel to drain.
• Curry Sauce:.
• In a skillet, preferably large and cast iron: fry the chopped onion over medium heat in 3 tablespoons oil with 1/2 tsp salt until caramelized and brown.
• Add all ginger garlic paste, turmeric, chopped tomatoes, a sprinkle of chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin and 2 tbsp coriander powder.
• Cook and when the mixture is getting dry add about 2 cups water.
• Heat and cook until tomatoes are nicely cooked, about 10 - 15 minutes; remove from pan and puree in a food processor or blender until smooth.
• In the same skillet, add a small handful of jeera seeds and cook until they crackle.
• Pour in the sauce mixture.
• Heat for about 5 minutes on medium.
• Add cream to the sauce and yogurt, stirring well.
• Turn off heat.
• Add koftas, mix to cover with sauce and allow to absorb sauce.
• Sprinkle on some garam masala and some chopped cilantro and serve.

MALAI KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes, cool, peel and grate them. Grate paneer.
• Wash all green chillies, deseed and chop them fine.
• Peel onions, cut them into halves and boil with a cup of water for ten minutes.
• Drain excess water, cool onions and grind them into a smooth paste.
• Mix mashed potatoes, paneer, two chopped green chillies, cornflour and salt.
• Mix well. Divide into sixteen equal sized balls. Stuff raisins into them.
• Deep fry in hot oil until slightly coloured. Drain and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a kadai. Add boiled onion paste and cook for five minutes.
• Add ginger paste, garlic paste, chopped green chillies, coriander powder, turmeric powder and salt.
• Cook for a minute. Add tomato puree and red chilli powder and cook on medium flame for eight to ten minutes or till oil separates from the masala.
• Mix mawa in two cups of water and add to the gravy.
• Bring it to a boil and simmer for ten minutes on a slow flame.
• Stir occasionally.
• Stir in fresh cram and garam masala powder.
• Place warm koftas in a serving dish and pour hot gravy on top and serve.

MALAI KOFTA WITH SPICY GRAVY

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain, return to the pan and put over a low heat to steam dry for a few mins. Mash with some seasoning and cool.
• Mix all the filling ingredients together. Make 12 balls of potato. Take one, press your finger into it to make a little hole, then place a little of the filling mixture into the centre. Pinch the potato back over to seal and shape into a round. Repeat with remaining potato balls and filling. Roll each kofta in flour, dip in the beaten egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs. Fill a deep saucepan halfway with oil, and heat until a small piece of bread browns in 20 secs. Fry the koftas in batches for a few mins until golden, then set aside on kitchen paper.
• For the gravy, blend together the onions, garlic, ginger, poppy seeds and nuts in a food processor to a purée. Heat the oil, then fry the onion purée until just turning brown. Add the puréed tomatoes, spices and sugar. The gravy should be quite thick, but if you want to thin it down a bit, add a little water.
• When the gravy comes to a boil, add the koftas. Heat through and serve with a drizzle of single cream and some flaked almonds scattered on top.