Restaurant-Style Paneer Kofta

Malai Kofta is one of the classic dishes in Indian cuisine. It's prepared from crispy fried balls of potato and paneer served in an incredibly rich, creamy gravy. It's a labor of love, but each bite tastes worth it. Follow the step-by-step recipe below as I guide you to make restaurant-style Malai Kofta for that special occasion or to satisfy your cravings for indulgent food.

The term ‘Malai’ translates to cream, and ‘Kofta’ refers to fried balls made from a variety of ingredients. While koftas are found in Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Asian cuisines, Indian versions often use potatoes, paneer, or vegetables as the main ingredient. Malai Kofta stands out due to its creamy, mildly spiced gravy and melt-in-your-mouth koftas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This restaurant-style Malai Kofta recipe has it all-the delicacy and crispiness of the koftas, a well-balanced gravy not to exceed the richness.

Creamy gravy made with cashew paste, onion paste, and tomato purée along with the koftas which has paneer, potatoes, and the hint of spices will ensure a lavish yet tasty experience.

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Ingredients

For the Koftas

• 2 medium-large potatoes, boiled and peeled

• 100g paneer, grated

• ¼ tsp red chili powder

• ¼ tsp garam masala powder

• Salt, to taste

• 2 tbsp cornflour or tapioca starch

• 3 tbsp almond flour (or milk powder/khoya for nut-free options)

• 10-12 cashews, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp raisins (optional)

For the Gravy:

• 2 medium onions, blended into a paste

• 12-15 cashews, soaked and blended into a paste

• 2 medium tomatoes, blended into a purée

• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

• 1 bay leaf

• 1-inch cinnamon stick

• 2 green cardamoms

• 1 black cardamom

• 2 cloves

• 1 tsp coriander powder

• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• ¼ tsp cumin powder

• ¼ tsp fennel powder (optional)

• ½ tsp sugar

• Salt, to taste

• 2 cups water

• 1 tsp kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)

• 2 tbsp cream

• 3 tbsp oil

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Instructions

Step 1: Make the Kofta

1. Mash and Mix: Grind the boiled potatoes. Mix with grated paneer, red chilli powder, garam masala, salt, cornflour, and almond flour. Sauté it properly into a smooth dough.

2. Filling Stuff: Crush cashews and raisins. If you don't want stuffed koftas, you can skip this process.

3. Koftas Shape: Divide the dough into portions. Take every portion, flatten it, and put some stuffing in that flat shape and make a ball with it. Repeat the process for all koftas.

Step 2: Fry the Koftas

1. Test Fry: Heat oil to 180–190°C (356–374°F). Test with a small piece of kofta dough; it should rise without breaking.

2. Fry: Fry koftas in batches till golden brown color. Drain on paper towels. You can also shallow fry or air-fry.

Step 3: Gravy preparation

1. Sauté Spices: Heat oil in a pan. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves, and sauté till fragrant.

2. Onion Paste: Add the onion paste along with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry over low to medium heat till it turns golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.

3. Ginger-Garlic and Tomato: Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and fry for a couple of minutes. Add the tomato purée and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes.

4. Spices: Add turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, and Kashmiri chili powder. Stir-fry for another 5 minutes.

5. Cashew Paste: Add cashew paste and cook until the oil separates from the masala.

6. Simmer: Add water, salt, and sugar. Let the gravy thicken for about 8-10 minutes.

7. Finish: Add kasuri methi and cream. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes. Season to taste.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

1. Heat the gravy and add the fried koftas just before serving so that they don't break.

2. Garnish with a drizzle of cream and chopped coriander.

3. Serve hot with naan, paratha, or basmati rice.

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FAQs

1. What do I substitute with cashews? Soaked almonds or more cream can be used as a nut-free substitute for cashews.

2. Can I prepare koftas a day in advance? Yes, prepare the koftas a day in advance by refrigerating them once shaped, and fry before serving.

3. How to serve Malai Kofta? Serve it along with naan, paratha, jeera rice, or saffron rice for the ultimate combination.

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Relish this restaurant-style Malai Kofta recipe, and each mouthful is full of richness. Be it any festival or even an intimate dinner, this dish is sure to impress your family and guests alike!