Paneer Kofta

Ingredients For Kofta:

200 gm Paneer (cottage cheese), grated
2 medium Potatoes, boiled, peeled and grated
1 Green Chilli, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/2 teaspoon grated Ginger
2 tablespoons finely chopped Coriander Leaves
1½ tablespoons Corn Flour
6-8 Cashew nuts, chopped
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Ingredients For Gravy:

3 medium Tomatoes
1 Green Chilli, seeded and finely chopped
1 medium Onion, finely chopped or grated
2 tablespoons Cashew nuts, soaked in water for 20 minutes
2 teaspoons crushed Garlic-Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Cloves
1/2 inch piece of Cinnamon Stick
1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1/4 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
1½ teaspoons Coriander Powder
2 tablespoons Oil
3/4 cup Water
Salt to taste

Directions for Making Kofta of Paneer:

step-1: Take grated paneer, grated potatoes, corn flour, green chilli, ginger, lemon juice, coriander leaves and salt in a large bowl.

step-2: Mix them and make a smooth mixture.

step-3: Grease your palms with oil and divide mixture into 6-8 equal portions. Give each portion a shape of ball. Take one ball and press a little between your palms and flatten it like pattie; put 2-3 pieces of cashew nuts in the center (this is a stuffing). Wrap them in from all sides and give round shape of ball. Prepare remaining stuffed kofta balls in similar way.

step-4: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium flame. When it is medium hot, slide in 3-4 stuffed balls from the edge of frying pan and deep-fry over medium flame until golden brown and crisp. Make sure that oil is hot enough otherwise it may break and split open in the oil. Drain them and transfer them to a plate. Deep fry remaining stuffed balls.

Directions for Making Tomato based Gravy:

step-5: Blanch tomatoes and make tomato puree. Grind soaked cashew nuts with 2 tablespoons water and make a paste.

step-6: Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Add cumin seeds, when they begin to crackle, add cinnamon and cloves . Sauté for approx 30 seconds. Add crushed garlic-ginger and sauté for 10-20 seconds.

step-7: Add chopped green chilli and onion, sauté until onion turns light brown; it will take approx. 2-3 minutes.

step-8: Add tomato puree (prepared in step-1).

step-9: Sauté until oil starts to separate, 3-4 minutes. Add cashew nut paste (prepared in step-1), turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, sugar and salt.

step-10: Stir and cook for a minute.

step-11: Add kasuri methi and 1/2 cup water. Cook the gravy for 4-5 minutes.

step-12: Add prepared stuffed balls, mix well and turn off the flame.

step-13: Transfer paneer kofta curry to a serving bowl and garnish with grated paneer.