By Shireen Jamooji
October 18, 2023
Fasting days don't have to mean missing out on tasty treats. Try this vrat-friendly version of Malai Kofta for a Navratri meal to remember.
Kofta: 5 medium-sized Potatoes 100 grams Paneer ½ tsp Green Cardamom Powder ¼ cup finely chopped Mixed Nuts (Almonds, Cashewnut, Raisin) 1 tbsp Green Coriander ½ tsp Green Chilli (chopped) Salt to taste 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder Oil for frying
Gravy: ½ tsp Jeera 1 Bay Leaf 1 Black Cardamom 2 Green Cardamom 2 Cloves 4-5 Black Pepper 1/4 cup Cashew Nuts 1 tbsp Dry Coconut Powder 2 Green Chillies 2 tsps Ginger Paste 2 tbsps Milk 2-3 tbsps or 1/2 cup Curd (Yogurt) 50 grams Mawa (Khoya) ½ cup Fresh Cream Salt to taste 1 tbsp Dry Kasoori Methi (Dry Fenugreek Leaves) 3 tbsps Ghee
Grate the boiled potatoes and paneer and combine them, ensuring a smooth paste with no lumps.
Add salt, black pepper, finely chopped green chillies, finely chopped coriander, and green cardamom powder.
Take a small lemon-sized portion, flatten it slightly, and place some chopped nuts in the centre. Fold the edges to create a smooth ball or an oval-shaped ball. Repeat for all portions.
Heat oil in a deep kadai on medium flame. Fry the koftas in batches for about 4-5 minutes until evenly browned.
Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 30 minutes, then grind them into a fine paste using cashew nuts, milk, and dry coconut powder.
In a kadai, heat ghee over low flame. Add whole spices - bay leaf, black cardamom, green cardamom, cloves, and black peppercorns. After 30-40 seconds, add the cumin seeds (jeera).
When the cumin seeds crackle, add grated ginger and fry until it becomes crisp.Add slit green chillies, followed by the cashew nut-coconut powder paste and curd.
Now, add finely grated mawa (khoya) and mix well. Pour in 1/2 cup of warm water and let the gravy cook for 4-5 minutes until the mawa fully incorporates.
Add crushed kasoori methi and salt, and mix well. Finally, add the cream and mix gently with the heat off.
Add the koftas to the gravy, garnish with fresh coriander and kasoori methi and enjoy hot with rice or rotis.