Simple Indian Recipes...
Delicious and healthy dishes that can be made even by first timers.

Malai Kofta

- recipe by Rani submitted on 06-25-2008


             Malai Kofta is a vegetarian delicasy that goes very well with naan and pulav. It is a vegetarian version of meatballs. In this small balls made out of grated vegetables(koftas) are fried/baked and dipped in a creamy rich sauce. It is an all time favorite in any indian restaurant. The non veg version of the same can be made by substituting the vegetable balls with meat balls which can be called meatball malai kofta.
 
Ingredients
To make Kofta
Potatos- 2 (Boiled and Mashed)
Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Cauliflower, green peas, sweet corn etc) - 1 1/2 cup (Cooked)
Grated paneer/ cheese - 1 cup
Bread slice - 1 (Soaked in water)
Bread crumbs - 1/2 packet or as needed
Chilli Powder -1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp or as needed
Oil - for frying
Green Chilli - 1 (Cut into small pieces) 

For Gravy
Onions - 2 or 3 (pureed)
Tomatoes - 4 or 5 (pureed)
Ginger Garlic green chilly paste - 2 tblsp
Cashews - 4-5 (powdered)
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Corriander, Cumin powder - 2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Thick Cream - 3/4 cup
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - for garnish
 
Preparation Steps
1.Cook Potatoes in cooker, grate or mash it and keep aside.
2.Grate/ Shred the veggies, boil it, drain the excess water and keep aside.
(Squeeze the veggies nicely to get rid of any water. This is very important otherwise the balls will break while frying. A simpler way is to microwave the veggies without water for 7-8 minutes)
3.Blend the onions and tomatoes seperately and keep aside
4.Soak one bread slice in 1/4 cup of water, squeeze it and shred it.
5.Grind the ginger, garlic  and green chilli together and keep it ready.
 
Method
To make Kofta
1. Take a mixing bowl and mix the boiled and grated potatoes, veggies, crumbled paneer, shreded bread slice and minced green chillies.
2. Add chilli powder, garam masala and salt. Add the lemon juice and mix everything together. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings if needed.
3. Add some bread crumbs to the mixture if it is moist. Koftas will break off while frying if it is moist.
(Tip :-  You can also add some cooked rice instead of bread crumbs to make solid balls.)
4. Make kofta balls and roll over the bread crumbs. You can even make oval shaped koftas.
5. Fry the balls in oil and put in paper towel.

To make Gravy

1. Heat butter/oil in a pan and saute the blended onions for a while until light brown
2. Add ginger-garlic-green chilly paste and saute it.
3. Add tomato puree and saute until everything is blended and oil oozes out of the gravy. 
4. Now add chilli powder, corriander powder, garam masala, salt and saute.
5. Add water as needed. (Add little corn flour mixed in hot water to the gravy if you want a thicker gravy).
6. Taste and check whether the gravy has enough salt and little sweetish. (Add little sugar if you want it little more sweeter)
7. Next add butter, heavy cream and cashew powder to the gravy. Simmer for 5-7 minutes and switch off.
8. Arrange the kofta balls in a flat pan and pour the gravy over it just before serving.
9. Garnish with fresh heavy cream, cheddar cheese or coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions
      - This gravy goes excellently with naan and jeera pulav.
      - It can also be served with other rotis and other pulav varieties.

Tips
      - You can substitute minced meat instead of the veggies to make Kheema kofta Curry.
      - You can blanch the onions and tomatoes before pureeing it to get a smooth puree.

Fried Koftas


Malai Kofta gravy garnished with cheddar cheese



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Comments (6)

Person   ()
thank you so much for Malai Kofta Recipe giving such amazing and luscious recipes... I appriciate your write up.
Person   ()
Thank you so mcuh.
Person   ()
Yummy, i really liked it
Go Ahead
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Too good,,,,,,,,i love it
Keep it up
Person   ()
Thank you.

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Old Comments

Comment by Devi Palanivel
Hi, The gravy is very nice and steps are nicely explained. In the ingrediants you have mentioned about lime. But can you also explain when it should be added?
 
Reply :-    
Hi Devi, Thanks for letting me know. I've corrected it.

Comment from SASHIKALA MANOHARAN on 15 October 2008 10:10AM
hi.. I tried doing kofats... even after adding bread crumps they are opening up in the oil...all in the vain i shallow fried in the pan and served guest as hara bara kebaba.but y is that happening,what i should do for that.plz help me.
 
Reply :-
Hi sashikala, the veggies have to be really dry while making the koftas. Even little moisture can break the koftas. You can cook the vegetables in microwave without water. If you do not have microwave, squeeze out as much water as possible before forming into balls. Add some cooked rice while making balls which will help in making firm balls. Another trick is to add some corn flour, bread crumbs or maida while making balls. Dont give up. Do try out and am sure it will come out well the next time.

Comment from Ranjana Rakesh on 12 August 2008 01:43AM
What is the thick cream you use in this recipe (Malai kofta)? Is this same as heavy whipping cream or half and half milk? Can we buy it in any grocery store or just in Indian stores?
Thanks for all the recipes..Ranju.
 
Reply :-
hi ranjana,  i have used heavy whipping cream..... that tastes excellent.... try and let me know...

Comment from Archana on 29 July 2008 21:29PM
hi this is my first time at ur website and you have a very good site..malai kofta recipe looks great...all i wanted to know is for these measurements ...for how many people the curry will be sufficient.am planning to follow your recipe for a gettogether of 10 people.so just wanted to get confirmed that will be a great help from you.coz i never made malai kofta till now am not getting an idea how much is enough..and can i use heavy whipping cream without whipping ???
 
Reply :-
hi archana,  the measurements given in the recipe will be perfect for 10 people. you can use heavy whipping cream without whipping. enjoy the get together,

Comment by deepika on 25 June 2008 08:15AM
Awsome : Thanks a lot for your step by step info as i am learning cooking. your site is very useful. but it would be really great if u can put few more veg gravies. thanks a lot. love u.
 
Reply :-
Thanks Deepika. Sure will add more veg gravies.

 Published by on and last updated on 2017-10-04.