Kofta with nuts and greens in a rich gravy...

Koftas and kofta curries are both a beautiful addition to any dinner menu. Whenever we hear kofta our eyes open wide and we sure feel that drool inside. Our family loves koftas... so it is an often seen menu. But instead of deep fried koftas I have shifted that part to tawa-cooked patties. A little less oil to stay away from the guilt. Its always better to stay away from deep-fried stuff if we can. Sounds good but not easy to find an alternate every time. Koftas into patties sounds good to me..... so this is how it is at our dinner tables 

This kofta has a beautiful nutty flavor from the walnuts, cashews and sesame seeds and also has an added aroma from greens like coriander, curry leaves, mint leaves and green chilly. It sure gives a unique crisp flavor to add up to the taste. I feel its a good way to add some health benefitting nuts and greens which is otherwise picked out from plates and cornered before even the kids start to eat

A simple yet rich gravy adds up to perk the taste and take it to new heights

Serves... 4 ppl

Serve option... Hot

This is what u'll need....

Paneer - 1/2 cup
Potato - 1 large
Onion - 1 big
Tomato - 1 big
Green chillies - 2
Curry leaves - 5-8 nos
Mint leaves - 5-8 nos
Coriander leaves - few
Cashew - 4 nos
Walnuts - 4 nos
Toasted sesame seeds - 1 tspn
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tspn
Jeera powder - 1/2 tspn
Garam masala powder - a pinch (optional)
Oil as needed
Butter - 1 tbspn
Salt to taste

Here is the stir....

• In a pressure pan add a tablespoon of oil and follow it with roughly chopped onion, tomatoes, garlic, one green chilli and almonds. Cook it till tender ... say couple of whistles and then couple of minutes on low flame 

• Let it cool down. Transfer this to a mixer jar, add some salt and blend it to a smooth paste

• Spoon in butter into a non-stick pan and add the onion tomato paste into it

• Keep stirring and cook it for a few mins till it thickens and starts to ooze out a little oil in the corners

• Meanwhile make the koftas - Boil and peel the potato

• Take a working bowl and add potato, paneer, salt, red chilli powder, jeera powder and garam masala powder

• In a mixer take the green chilli, curry leaves, mint leaves and coriander leaves. Give it a quick pulse 

• Now add walnuts, cashew nuts and sesame seeds to the same mix and pulse again

• Add this mixture to the bowl

• Mix everything together to make a dough. Pinch out a lemon sized dough and flatten it to make a cutlet/tikki shape

• Heat an iron skillet and pour a teaspoon of oil. Place the patties on the hot tawa and cook till brown

• Flip it once and let it cook on the other side too. Add a few drops of oil if needed

• Remove the patties and drain them on a paper towel

• Now coming to the gravy part again - Add half a cup of cream and mix it all together

• When it comes to a boil turn off  the flame 

• Add the koftas to the gravy just a few minutes before serving. Serve with hot rotis or naans and enjoy your meal

Note:

• Add only little of greens. A little goes a long way. Mild flavors brings out the unique taste of the gravy. Dont overdo it. Too much can make the koftas taste bitter
• Grind the nuts and greens coarse to have an added bite and flavor in the patties
• Dont cook too long after adding cream