Kofta Chalao Recipes

AFGHANISTAN: KOFTA CHALLOW

Steps:

• Put the minced lamb, onions, garlic, egg, powdered chicken stock, coriander and black pepper into a large glass bowl. Mix with your hands until all the ingredients are well incorporated. The mixture will be wet.
• Shape the mixture into 2-inch meatballs and set aside.
• Mix the tomato paste and remaining spices with the water until everything is dissolved.
• Cook the finely-chopped onions in the oil until they are a light to medium brown color. Take care not to burn.
• Add the water/tomato/spice mixture to the pot. Gently place the meatballs into the water. Try not to let them touch each other. They should be about 2/3rds submerged; if not, add a little more water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Check frequently to make sure the meatballs aren't burning.
• After 20 minutes, gently turn each meatball over. Replace the lid but leave it cracked so the steam can escape. You want to boil off most of the water, leaving a thick sauce behind.
• Serve with basmati rice.

MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• For the kofta: Combine the mashed potatoes, cilantro, chiles, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Knead the mixture until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then set aside.
• Put the paneer in a food processor and pulse until crumbly. Add the nuts and dried fruit and pulse until the fruit is coarsely chopped and the nuts are broken into small pieces. (If the paneer is not salted, add a pinch of salt.) Transfer the paneer mixture to a small bowl.
• Form the mashed potato mixture into 8 equal balls. (A kitchen scale isn't necessary, but is helpful.) Form the paneer mixture into 8 equal balls. They don't have to be perfectly shaped, but it is much easier to stuff the potato balls when the paneer mixture has been squished into little balls.
• Hold a potato ball in the palm of your hand. Make an indentation with your thumb. Place a paneer ball into the concave hollow and push it in gently. Pinch the potato mixture around it and roll the potato ball in your palm to make a nice round shape. Repeat with the remaining potato and paneer balls. If the potato mixture is sticking to your hands and preventing you from rolling a smooth ball, dampen the palms of your hands with a little room-temperature water and continue rolling.
• Place the besan in a shallow bowl. Gently roll the stuffed balls in the besan. Transfer the coated balls to a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you make the sauce. (It is easier to fry the balls when they have rested and are cold.)
• For the sauce: Meanwhile, stir together the garam masala, Kashmiri chili powder, coriander, turmeric and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until combined. Set the spice mixture aside.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle until they darken slightly, about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to get a hint of color, 8 to 10 minutes. (Do not brown them, as that will affect the color of the sauce.)
• Add the garlic, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt, mix well and cook, stirring often, until the raw smell goes away, about 2 minutes. Add the spice mixture and cook, stirring often, until the oil comes out, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the cashews and add to the saucepan, then add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and cook until the tomato mixture is thickened and pasty, about 7 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
• Meanwhile, fry the kofta. Fill a large Dutch oven halfway with vegetable oil, attach a deep-fry thermometer and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet and place a paper towel over the rack. Carefully add half the balls, one at a time, and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the balls to the prepared rack. Repeat with the remaining balls.
• Transfer the cooled sauce to a blender, add 1 cup water and process until smooth. Transfer the sauce back to the saucepan. Add the cream and kasoori methi if using and heat over medium heat until simmering. It should have the consistency of a smooth carrot soup; Add more water, if needed, and adjust the salt to taste.
• Gently add the fried kofta and heat, occasionally shaking the pan gently to coat the balls, until hot, about 3 minutes.
• For serving: Garnish with the garam masala and cilantro leaves.

KOFTA CHALAO

Steps:

• For the kofta: Mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, coriander, cumin, garlic, onions, cilantro and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 1-ounce balls.
• For the sauce: Heat the oil in a pot. Fry the onions until translucent. Add the garlic and 2 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir in the tomato paste, split peas, coriander, paprika, turmeric, dried plums, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and some salt and black pepper. Add the kofta, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve with the basmati rice.