Vegetable Kofta Curry

Vegetable Kofta Curry
The word kofta is derived from Persian language. In Persian, Kuft means "to beat" or "to grind" and hence Kufta means "beaten" or "ground". Vegetable koftas are fried pakoras (dumplings) in rich cream gravy.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Approx. 12 Koftas

Ingredients:
Bottle guard (Lauki) - 1 peeled and grated
Cabbage - 1/4 grated
Carrots - 3 peeled and grated
Green chilies - 2 finely chopped
Besan (gram flour) - 2 cups
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Salt as per taste
Oil for frying the koftas

For Gravy:
Whole garam masala - 1 tbsp
Onion - 1 (pureed)
Tomato puree - 2 cups
Ginger paste - 1 tbsp
Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Green chilies - 2 finely chopped
Paneer - 2 tbsp grated
Cashew powder - 1 tbsp
Red chili powder - 1 tbsp
Green chili - 1 tsp (finely chopped)
Heavy whipping cream - 1/2 cup
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Sugar/ Honey - 2 tsp.
Salt as per taste
For Garnish:
Kasoori methi - 1 tbsp

Method:
To make Koftas:

1. In a bowl, add grated cabbage, carrots, bottle guard. Mix well.
2. Now in a large bowl, add besan and all the dry spices for making koftas.
3. Add all the above vegetables to it. Mix well and make a pakora like batter. If it is dry add very little water as grated bottle guard (lauki) makes the batter little watery.
4. In a pan, heat cooing oil and deep fry marble size koftas carefully till they are golden brown in color.
5. Drain and keep aside.

To make Gravy:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add whole garam masala. Let it crackle.
2. Add pureed onions and saute it, till turns light golden. Add ginger paste, garlic paste and chopped green chilies. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomato puree, red chili powder, garam masala powder and salt.
4. Add grated paneer (2 tbsp) and cashew powder. Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.Add sugar or honey and stir in heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes and gravy is ready.
5. Add koftas to the gravy 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish and Serving suggestions:
Garnish Vegetable kofta curry with fragrant dry kasoori methi. Enjoy with fresh roti, paratha or steamed basmati rice.

Note: You can buy all Indian Spices and ingredients at Amazon.com or ebay.

Festive India: Latest IPhone App

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Quick and Healthy: Colorful Fried Rice

Happy New Year to everyone! Let’s start this year with this quick and healthy recipe for fried rice. It can be prepared with all the vegetables you have or all the vegetables you like:)… Enjoy this easy recipe!

Approx. 4 servings

Ingredients:
Basmati rice - 1.5 cup
Onions - 1 medium (sliced)
Cauliflower or Broccoli - 1 cup (small florets)
Red bell pepper - 1 (cup cut strips)
Green peas - 1/2cup
Garlic - 1/2 tbsp minced
Ginger - 1/2 tbsp grated
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Garlic chili sauce -1 tbsp

Spices:
Cumin seeds (Jira) - 1 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method:

• Wash basmati rice twice. Cook the rice with 3 cups of water.
• Clean and cut all the vegetables as directed. Keep aside.
• In a pan on medium heat, add olive oil. Add cumin seeds, when it starts to crackle, add sliced onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add ginger-garlic and all the vegetables. Sauté on high for 3-4 minutes.
• Add all these cooked vegetables to the cooked rice and add red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt.
• In the end, add garlic chili sauce, mix well and slow cook the vegetable fried rice half covered for 4 more minutes.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve steamy vegetable fried rice with boondi raita (spicy yogurt).
Note: You can buy all Indian spices at Amazon.com or ebay.

Durga Ashtami/ Navmi Special: Indian Thali

Thali means platter. This platter is special because it has all the dishes served on festivals. This particular is for Navmi (last day of Navratra). This food is offered to Goddess and then to nine little girls. The compulsory dishes for the offering are Halwa (Pudding), Puri (Fried Indian flat bread) and Kala chana (Black gram). Rest of the menu is optional.

I have already posted the recipes for Halwa(Pudding), Kala Chana, Khaman Dhokla and Shahi Kheer.

Link for Aata Halwa or Pudding recipe:
http://shvetasrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/04/aate-ka-halwa-or-kada-prashad-wheat.html

Link for Kala Chana recipe:
http://shvetasrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/03/protein-packed-punjabi-kala-chana-black.html

Note: But for this special festival navratri menu, avoid using onions and garlic in the food.

Link for Khaman-Dhokla recipe:
http://shvetasrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/03/khaman-dhokla-gujrati-speciality.html

Link for Shahi Kheer recipe:
http://shvetahora.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/shahi-kheer-rice-pudding-indian-style/