Kofta (Meatballs)

Kofta (Balls of minced meat, preferably lamb, mixed with spices)

I have been missing for quite some time from blogging and I sincerely apologize to anyone who has been regularly visiting my blog for recipes.

Today, I am adding kofta recipe.  We make koftas as an accompaniment to dal or rasam with plain rice.  It is also prepared on Ramzan in a gravy for breakfast.  Kofte ka saalan with roti is traditional Ramzan breakfast in my home.  They are crisp on the outside and soft inside and smell so delicious, that we eat one or two as soon as they are fried.  I am also adding a tip at the bottom of the page, which you can follow or not.  I will add the recipe for the kofta gravy soon! In Sha Allah.

Ingredients:

250 g minced meat (lamb)

1 small onion

2 tsp garlic paste

8 to 9 green chillis

2 tbsp coconut paste

5 cloves

1/2 inch piece of cinnamon

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp salt

a handful of coriander leaves

50 g of fried gram

Oil for frying

Gravy(Optional):

2 large tomatoes, pureed

1/4 tsp chilli powder

3 tsp oil

a pinch of salt.

Method:

• Grind fried gram to a fine powder in the dry jar.
• Grind onion, green chillis, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander leaves along with salt to a fine paste using as little water as possible.
• Add the garlic paste and coconut paste and grind for another minute.
• Add the minced meat and grind for 7 to 8 seconds.  Do this a couple of times or till the mince and the spice paste are well blended.
• Remove the mixture into a bowl and add the powdered fried gram and turmeric powder.  Mix well.  The mixture should be of a soft, pliable consistency.
• Make equal sized, smooth, round balls (the size of a lemon).
• Heat oil in a kadai or wok.  Add the koftas and fry till a nice golden brown.

Heat 3 tsp of oil in a separate kadai.  Add the tomato puree, chilli powder, and salt and cook for a minute.  Add the koftas and mix well.  Close the vessel and cook on slow heat for 2-3 minutes.