Haryali Kofte By Shabana Akbany

Yet another vegetarian dish – Haryali Kofte by Shabana Akbany. Hariyali kofte are basically paneer kofte cooked in thick and creamy spinach gravy. It’s easy to make, and sometimes provides a welcome change from the traditional Malai Kofta.

Food historians trace the word KOFTA, used in variations throughout the Middle East, India and Central Asia to the Persian KOOFTEH, which means pounded meat.

Ingredients for Kofte:

100 Gms paneer

1 1/2 tbsp corn flour

1/2 tsp roasted jeera powder

1/4 tsp red chilly powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp maida (to coat the kofta)

Ingredients for Filling:

4-5 almonds — chopped

10 – 12 kishmish

1 tsp very finely chopped ginger

Ingredients for Gravy:

250 Gms paalak (spinach) chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)

2 green chillies — chopped

2 onions ground to a paste

4 tbsp ready made tomato puree or homemade thick pulp

1” piece ginger — crushed to a paste

5 -7 garlic pods — crushed to a paste

3 tbsp desi ghee or 4 tbsp oil

1/4 tsp haldi powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)

Garnishing:

2 onions cut into rings

juice of 1 lemon

a few poodina (mint) leaves

(serves 4)

Method :

1. Grate paneer. Mix paneer, corn flour, jeera powder, red chilly powder and salt.
2. Mix all ingredients of the filling together.
3. Make 8 small balls, stuff a bit of nuts in each ball, roll in dry Maida and deep fry one at a time to a light golden color. Keep aside.
4. Discard stems of the paalak leaves. Wash leaves in lots of water to clean it well. Pressure cook with 1/4 cup of water and give one whistle. Keep on low flame for 6 – 8 minutes. Remove from fire. Cool it. Grind along with green chilies in a mixer.
5. Heat ghee or oil and fry the onions to a light golden color.
6. Add tomato puree and cook for 2 – 3 minutes.
7. Add ginger and garlic paste, and cook for 1 minute.
8. Add salt, halide and garam masala, stir for minute.
9. Add paalak and cook for another minute.
10. Add 2 cups of water to get thin green gravy. Boil and keep on low flame for about 10 – 15 minutes.
11. At serving time, add the Paneer Balls, keep on low flame for about 1 minute.

Tip: Serve this dish hot with paranthas or hot jeera rice.

by Shabana Akbany