Malai Kofta (Indian Cottage Cheese Balls in Cashew Gravy)
- 1 pound Indian Cottage Cheese Or Paneer
- 3 teaspoons Salt, Or To Taste, Divided
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch Plus Additional For Rolling
- 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (optional)
- 2 cups Oil For Deep Frying
- 3/4 cups Cashews
- 2 whole Medium Yellow Onions
- 1 Tablespoon Oil For Cooking
- 4 whole Bay Leaves
- 4 whole Cardamom Pods
- 1/2 Tablespoons Ginger Paste
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Paste
- 4 whole Green Chilies, Slit In Half
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- Grate the paneer and then mash it up with your hands.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt, corn starch and cardamom powder.
- Mix it up nicely and roll it into small balls.
- Coat each ball with additional corn starch and keep aside.
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet.
- Fry the balls for 50-60 seconds, making sure they get done on the outside but they dont turn brown.
- Keep stirring them slowly while frying, as stirring helps cook them evenly.
- Set aside.
- Boil the cashews in 3-4 cups of water.
- They will start floating on top once they are done.
- Rinse them with cold water, place in a food processor, and process into a paste.
- Set aside.
- Chop the onion in big pieces and boil in water for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain, place in a food processor and process into a fine paste and set aside.
- Take a heavy-bottomed pot.
- Add oil.
- Once hot, add bay leaves and cardamom pods.
- Add onion paste and let it cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Add ginger and garlic paste and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- Add cashew paste and green chillies and cook for another 7-8 minutes while continuously stirring.
- Make sure you keep it stirring till it starts losing oil or it will stick to the pot.
- Once done, add around 2 cups water to it.
- Mix it and let it cook over low flame for 10-15 minutes.
- Add sugar and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and taste.
- Add paneer balls in the gravy and serve hot with naan.
- This dish is a little time consuming but worth all the effort!
- Hope you enjoy this recipe.
salt, starch, cardamom, cashews, onions, bay leaves, cardamom, ginger paste, garlic, green chilies, sugar
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/malai-kofta-indian-cottage-cheese-balls-in-cashew-gravy/ (may not work)