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NORTH: KOFTA KEBABS IN SPICY CREAM SAUCE (MALAI KOFTA)
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Indian Vegetables
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
Stephen Ceideburg
KOFTA:
2 lg Russet potatoes, boiled,
-peeled, mashed
1/2 c Green peas, fresh or frozen
1/4 c Shredded Cheddar cheese
1 Fresh hot green chile,
-chopped
1/2 ts Ground coriander
1 t Cumin seeds
1 1/2 ts Salt
1/4 c Chopped cashew nuts
1 tb Raisins
3/4 c Chick-pea flour or corn
-flour (see note)
1 c Water
Mild vegetable oil for deep
-frying
SPICY CREAM SAUCE:
8 Whole cashew nuts
2 Whole cloves
1 pn Nutmeg
1/2 Inch cinnamon stick
1 Garlic clove, peeled
2 tb Unsalted butter
1 lg Onion, grated
1 pn Turmeric
2 ts Paprika
1/2 ts Ground coriander
1/2 ts Cayenne pepper
1 t Salt
1 c Half-and-half
1 c Water
1/2 c Heavy cream
2 tb Chopped fresh cilantro
Kofta, a classic dish of Moghul origin, is one of the most important
preparations of Indian vegetarian cuisine. Traditionally, koftas are
simmered in a delicate sauce and turned into a curried main dish. These
kebabs are wonderful served as cocktail appetizers with a yogurt or fruity
dipping sauce.
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 kebabs.)
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.
(May be prepared 2 days ahead, cooled, covered and refrigerated.)
Stir in cream and kofta kebabs. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
Note: Chick-pea flour (also called besan) may be purchased at Indian
grocery stores.
PER SERVING: 645 calories, 15 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, 43 g fat (19 g
saturated), 86 mg cholesterol, 1,450 mg sodium, 8 g fiber.
Laxmi Hiremath writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, 6/24/92.
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