Malai Kofta

5 from 2 votes

The Malai Kofta recipe I searched India for: delicious paneer kofta curry with creamy, spiced gravy. It is so easy to make and rivals a restaurant.

Prep Time30

Cook Time40

Total Time1 10

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Malai Kofta, Malai Kofta Curry, Paneer kofta curry

Servings:

¼ cup oil plus more for frying
2 ½ cups finely chopped onion from 2 medium-large
2 tsp kosher salt or to taste
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
½ tsp cayenne powder or red chilli powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
10 whole green cardamom pods optional
1 ½ cups tomato puree either puree diced tomato or use jarred passata - see note in post on tomato sauce
¼ cup almond butter or finely-chopped cashews
1 cup water
¾ cup whipping cream aka double cream, 33% or 35% milkfat
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp finely minced cilantro

Boil the potato for kofta until tender, then drain in colander and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, heat oil over medium-low heat and cook onions until very soft and deep golden brown (don't rush this step, it's important for the flavour). Add ginger and garlic, and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Stir in salt, cumin, coriander, cayenne, cinnamon and cardamom pods and cook a minute more. Add tomato puree, nut butter and water; cook until oil starts to bubble up and shimmer on top.
Stir in cream and sugar; simmer, covered, about 10 minutes then turn off the heat and let stand while you finish making the koftas.

Grate or crumble the paneer into a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to ensure even distribution. Form into golfball-sized balls (you'll get about 12). Use oiled hands if the mixture is sticky, and place them in the freezer for 10 minutes if very soft.
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a nonstick or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add koftas in a single layer with enough space between each to easily be able to slide a spatula under them for flipping. You might have to work in batches. Brown the koftas on the underside until they lift easily with a spatula, then flip and brown on the other side. Transfer koftas to paper towel-lined plate, and proceed with the next batch.
Over low heat, bring the sauce back up to a gentle simmer. Taste and add salt, if needed, then slide the fried koftas in and gently stir to coat. Top with cilantro.