Kofta is a popular Indian dish made with meat or vegetables that are shaped into balls and then fried or cooked in a gravy.
Ingredients for Kofta:
1 lb ground beef or lamb
1/2 cup grated onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt, to taste
Oil, for frying
Ingredients for Gravy:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 cloves
2 green cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 cup tomato puree
1 cup water
Salt, to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef or lamb, grated onion, garlic, ginger paste, cilantro, mint, red chili powder, cumin, coriander, and salt. Mix well and shape the mixture into small balls.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the kofta balls and fry them until they are golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
In the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Allow them to crackle.
Add the chopped onion and fry until it turns golden brown.
Add the ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and turmeric powder. Stir-fry for a minute.
Add the tomato puree, water, and salt. Mix well and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and add the fried kofta balls. Cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the gravy thickens and the kofta balls are heated through.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan.
Note:
You can also add some cashews and cream to the gravy for a richer flavor. Vegetable kofta can also be made by using grated vegetables like carrot, cauliflower, or bottle gourd.
