Vegetable Koftas Recipes

EASY VEGETARIAN KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cardamom pods, whole cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Cook until spices start to sputter, about 1 minute. Stir in onion, ginger, and garlic. Cook and stir until onion is softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in diced tomatoes, coriander, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, cayenne, and salt. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer; add yogurt and stir well. Add frozen vegetable balls. Pour in hot water to thin sauce slightly to desired consistency. Bring mixture back to a simmer and cook, covered, until sauce is thickened and vegetable balls are heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

MY SPECIAL VEGAN KOFTE

Steps:

• Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a small frying pan over a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then tip into a pestle and mortar and bash to a coarse powder.
• Peel and finely chop the ginger and garlic, then add to the frying pan over a medium heat with a splash of oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden, then place into a food processor with the toasted spices.
• Coarsely grate the courgettes, place into a colander in the sink, then sprinkle with a good pinch of fine sea salt. Squeeze the mixture together with your hands to get rid of the excess moisture, then add to the processor.
• Pick the coriander leaves and set aside, then add half the coriander stalks to the processor with the drained chickpeas, breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse until combined, but not smooth - you want to retain a bit of texture.
• Transfer to a clean work surface then, with wet hands, divide and shape the mixture into eight little fat fingers. Place onto a tray, then pop in the fridge to chill for around 20 minutes.
• For the minty yoghurt dip, halve the cucumber lengthways, scoop out and discard the watery seeds, then roughly chop.
• Pick and finely slice the mint leaves, then place into a bowl with the cucumber, yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix well.
• For the nutty sauce, peel and finely slice the onion and garlic, then finely slice the remaining coriander stalks. Place into a large frying pan over a medium heat with a splash of oil, then cook for a few minutes, or until golden.
• Add the cashew nuts and toast for a further 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a food processor. Add the coconut milk and peanut butter, then blitz until thick and smooth.
• Return the large frying pan to a medium heat with a splash of oil. Once hot, add the kofte and cook for around 2 minutes, or until golden and piping hot through, turning regularly.
• Divide the kofte between your plates, tear over the coriander leaves, then serve with the nutty sauce and minty yoghurt dip and lemon wedges for squeezing. Delicious with pitta breads or fluffy rice.

VEGETABLE KOFTAS

Steps:

• Boil the mixed vegetables till soft. Drain, and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, chop fine and set aside.
• Moisten the slices of bread with a little water and squeeze out the excess. Stir together the vegetables, bread, mashed potatoes, serrano, onion, ginger, cilantro, and salt. Form into 8 balls.
• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Fry the koftas in the hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Make the gravy by melting the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions, ginger, garlic, ground coriander, turmeric, and garam masala; cook until the onions have softened. Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in the milk and season with salt; cook for 10 to 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• To serve, reheat the koftas in the gravy. Garnish with the cream and chopped cashews.

VEGGIE KOFTA PITTAS WITH PICK & MIX SIDES

Steps:

• Soften the onions and garlic with a few sprays of 1 Cal cooking spray and a splash of water in a non-stick pan. Once really soft, tip into a food processor with the chickpeas, breadcrumbs, egg, spices, lemon zest and juice, and plenty of seasoning. Pulse until fairly smooth, then add 30g of the spinach and pulse until finely chopped. Shape the mixture into 12 sausage-shaped koftas and put on a baking-parchment-lined baking tray. Chill while you heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Spray the koftas a few times more with cooking spray, then bake for 20-25 mins until crisp and golden.
• Meanwhile, mix together all the carrot salad ingredients with some seasoning. Put the remaining spinach in a bowl and warm the pittas following pack instructions.
• Serve the koftas with warm pittas, extra spinach, carrot salad, fat-free yogurt and pickled chillies, if you like.