V0N8819@VENUS.TAMU.EDU (Vasuki Narayan...Texas A&M) (08/17/90)
Sometime back, someone had posted a request for malai koftas. Since there have been no replies, I am posting one from memory. It's quite authentic, only the measurements are not quite exact --- I've always used the "handful of" method :-) Koftas ------ 2 large potatoes boiled 2-3 jalapenos or serrano peppers (fresh, not pickled) 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves (also called coriander leaves or mexican parsley) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp chilly powder (ground up cayenne pepper -- not chilli spices) 4 tbsp flour thick cream ( I tend to use sour cream -- it is more easily available, and is of the correct consistency.) oil for deep frying Mash potatoes. Do not add any water, cream or butter while mashing. It need not be very smooth, just not lumpy. Chop jalapenos or serranos. Add all ingredients except oil, cream and 2 tbsp flour to the potatoes and mix well. Divide the mixture into 12-16 portions. Roll into balls, and put 1/2 - 1 tsp of sour cream in the center of each ball. Roll in remaining flour and deep fry until brown. Sauce ----- 1 large white onion 1/2 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp crushed ginger 2 large tomatoes 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp chilly powder (cayenne pepper) 1/2 tsp garam masala 1 tbsp powdered poppy seeds 2 tbsp powdered cashewnuts 2 tbsp grated or dessicated coconut (not sweet) 1/3 cup yogurt 1/4 cup sour cream to top dish 4 tbsp oil Grate/blend onions till fine. Puree tomatoes. In a heavy based pot, heat oil. Lightly fry garlic and ginger paste. Add onion. Fry to a golden brown colour. Reduce heat and add coconut, cashewnut powder adn poppy seed powder. Fry for 5 minutes. Reduce heat. Add tomato puree, salt, garam masala and chilly powder. Cover and cook over low heat until the mixture looks crisp and the oil begins to seperate from the mixture. Mix in yogurt and further cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat. This dish can be prepared in advance. Before serving, add 1 cup water to the sauce. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook for 5-6 minutes. Add koftas to the sauce and cook for 6-7 minutes. Top with sour cream and serve. Hope you enjoy it!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vasuki Narayan ... Texas A&M University | If you do not care BITNET: V0N8819@tamvenus | where you are, then DECNET: VENUS::V0N8819 | you aren't lost!! INTERNET: v0n8819@venus.tamu.edu | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------