The idea I had this time was to create a kofta which looks unique and tastes delicious. So, this morning I developed a Cauliflower Kofta Curry that is stuffed with apricots and served on a bed of tomato-cream sauce. It was an easy, delicious, and gorgeous dish. My family loved it and devoured it with some phulka and salad.
What is Kofta?
The term kofta is mostly referred to as Indian meatballs. They are round or oblong in shape and mostly grilled or fried. Indian koftas are shaped like meatballs, but they are made of vegetables, grains, or pulses. One of the most famous koftas are Malai Kofta. These vegetarian kofta balls are quite popular worldwide.
Why Cauliflower Kofta?
I wanted to make something unique that tastes delicious and is easy to make. The ideal combination would include the use of potatoes, but I did not go for it. I wanted to make something different, and that would not serve the purpose. Another reason is that these days we are not doing grocery shopping frequently and we are buying vegetables that have a large shelf life. As a result, we have a large stock of cauliflower at home. Secondly, 3 months ago, I bought a big bag of apricots from Costco and nobody has even touched it. Hence, apricot stuffing.
What type of gravy is used in Kofta Curry?
Mostly, kofta is served in a tomato-cream based gravy, but there are exceptions when we use spicy Indian gravies for lentils and vegetables. I used a silky tomato-cream gravy for my Cauliflower-Apricot Kofta. This gravy is smooth and silky in texture and has a slightly sweetened taste.
Tips for Making a Delicate Kofta-
I prefer using homemade paneer, but it is important to make sure it doesn’t have water in it. If you are using store-bought paneer, use only after grating it. Don’t use too much cornstarch- it will make your kofta balls hard. After making the kofta balls, keep them in the fridge for 30 minutes as this will help you in frying. Always use a low flame for frying the kofta balls. Don’t over crowd the Wok /Kadhai.
Instructions for Air Fried Kofta Balls,
Brush all the Kofta balls with little oil,and air fry at 370 F for 7-8 minutes.Turn it over once.Time can vary according to size of your Kofta Balls and your Air Fryer strength. Keep an eye on them.
