Creamy Malai Kofta (with sunflower seed sauce)

Last week the graduating chefs of 2016 came together for a two day refresher course. On the first day we made all things Indian and one of the many dishes we made was Malai Kofta which are vegetable balls served with a creamy sauce. It is a simple recipe which you can easily make nut free by using sunflower seeds instead of cashews. This is the third and final recipe in my series of blogs on nut free recipes. I hope you enjoy this wonderful Indian meal.

Malai Kofta

Kofta balls

450 g potato washed chopped with peel on
1 large carrot washed and chopped
100g peas
2 tbsp ground sunflower seeds
¼ cup fresh coriander chopped finely
½ tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp pepper
¼ tsp cumin
½ cup chickpea flour

1.Boil the potatoes and carrot in salted filtered water.
2. Set to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes then add the peas.
3. Once potatoes, carrot and peas are fully cooked strain from the water and mash well .
4. Mix all of the other ingredients in with the potato mixture and form balls.
5. Place the balls on a paper lined baking tray and put in a 200 c oven. Cook for 10 minutes then turn the balls over and cook for a further 10 minutes or until crispy.

For the Sauce

Oil (olive or sunflower)
1 tsp cumin seeds ground
1 onion diced
1 tsp ginger minced
1 hot chilli (optional)
2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp coriander powder
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garam masala
¼ cup fresh coriander roughly chopped
1 bunch of English spinach finely chopped
1 cup coconut milk (optional)

1. Dry roast the cumin seeds until aromatic. Add the oil, ginger, onion and fry for a few minutes then add the tomatoes, cashews, turmeric, coriander, salt, black pepper, sunflower seeds and two cups water.
2. Cook with a lid on until the tomatoes have broken down.
3. Place the sauce mix into a blender and blend until smooth.
4. Return to the pan and fold in the garam masala, coriander and English Spinach.
5. Once the spinach is cooked mix in the coconut milk if using.

Serve the sauce and then put the kofta balls on top.

Fan of Indian Food?

If you are a fan of Indian food I have a whole Indian feast section in my book, Veet's Cusine - Delicious Vegan Recipes. The recipes are easy yet delicious. If you are yet to purchase a book, visit our page Veets Cookbooks.

Have a great week.

With love Veet

Categories:Mains

Tags:sunflower seeds Indian curry Potatoes