MALAI KOFTA

Malai Kofta is a hugely popular dish on Indian Restaurent menus. It is a special occasion food probably because making it is a labor of love and takes time and effort. Malai Kofta is the perfect vegetarian alternative to meatballs.Goes well with Parathas.

INGREDIENTS: (for Kofta)

Paneer (Cottage cheese) 250 grams
Potato (boiled and smashed) - 3-4

Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Cumin powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Garam masala powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Cashewnuts 50 gram
Coriander leaves - 1/2 cups

Corn flour -3-4 tsp

Oil 3-4 tsp for deep fry

INGREDIENTS: (for Curry)

Tomatoes 3 medium

Onion - 4 medi - finely chopped
Ginger Garlic paste 1 tsp
Green cardamoms 2-4
Cinnamon stick 1-2

Green chilly - 2-3
Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Cumin powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp
Yogurt 50 gram
Garam masala powder 1 tsp
Fresh cream 2 tsp
Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

PROCESS:

1. Place smashed potatoes into a bowl, add paneer into it. Add salt to taste and all the masala,  add corn flour, cashew nuts, coriander leaves and mix well. Take small portions and shape into koftas. Deep-fry these koftas till golden.

2. Heat a frying pan, add Green cardamoms, cinnamon and Green chilly. Now add chopped onions and saute for 2 mins. Add tomato puree when the onion turns into light brown. Add all the masala (cumin, coriander, kashmiri chilly powder and salt), let it cook for another 2-3 mins. now add yogert, mix well and cover with a lid. (If you don't like a thick gravy, you can add half cup of water). Cook for 3-4 mins in low heat.

3. When the curry is almost done, add a little cream and garam masala powder and mix well.

4. Add the kofras in the gravy and let it cook for 2 more mins.

5. Garnish with fresh cream and chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.

MUSHROOM STIR-FRY

Mushrooms are  fat free, natural sources of Vitamin D and a valuable source of fiber. Over the years, mushrooms have gained popularity in Indian Cooking as it is easily available in market and is no longer considered an exotic ingredient.

INGREDIENTS:

Button Mushrooms (Thinly Sliced) - 12-14

Onion (Thinly Sliced) - 1

Tomato (Julienne) - 1

Vinegar - 2 tbsp

Soya Sauce - 1 tbsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

Salt & Pepper- To taste

PROCESS:

1. It is important to clean the mushrooms before cooking. Use a wet cloth or wet tissue paper to wipe them nicely. Then thinly slice them.

2. Take a Wok or Kadhai with big surface area. This will help in spreading them out which will make the moisture from the mushrooms evaporate quickly. Add 1 thinly sliced onion to heated 2 tbsp oil and sauté till the onion turns translucent.

3. Add julienne of 1 tomato to it. Stir well.

4. Now add the mushrooms and sauté it for a while.

5. Now add the vinegar and soya sauce one after the other and mix well.

6. Add salt and black pepper to taste and stir for a while. It is important to add salt at the end and not in the beginning because it will quickly take out all the juices resulting in chewy mushrooms.  

7. Its done. Serve hot! You can also have it with any Chinese dish of your choice.