Malai kofta Vegan

Ingredients

• large onion, coarsely chopped

  1 can-diced tomatoes

  1/4 cup cashews powder

  4 cloves garlic, chopped

  1″ piece fresh ginger, chopped

  1 1/2 tsp garam masala

  1 tsp ground turmeric

  1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

  1 tsp salt

  1 can coconut milk

  1 tbsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves), OR 1 tsp fenugreek seeds

  coriander for garnish (optional)

Method…:Keep the potatoes for boiling start the curry tomato cream sauce. In a large heavy bottomed pot add the onion, canned tomatoes and their juices, cashews, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, fenugreek leaves and salt. Cover the pot and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Now add the onion and tomato mixture to a blender and blend until smooth,Pour the creamy mixture back into the pot and add the coconut milk, reserving ~1/4 cup back to serve and crush the methi in your fingers and add to the pot. Mix together and cover the pot and set aside.

mash the potatoes to the mashed tofu along with the corn starch, fenugreek leaves dried, lemon juice, garam masala, and salt. Mix together and test the consistency by forming some into a ball. It should hold together. It can stick to your hands a little, but if it is very sticky or too wet and falling apart, you can add a bit more corn starch. Mix in the frozen peas. Shape the kofta mixture into heaping 1 tablespoon portions and roll into small balls.

To fry the kofta: Heat about 2-inches of high heat safe oil in a heavy bottomed pot .When the oil is heated fry the shaped kofta in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until the kofta is a beautiful dark golden When the kofta are cooked,keep it on paper towel so oul is soaked.

When ready to serve, pour the sauce overtop the kofta (only use what you will eat in one sitting, as the kofta get soggy once in the sauce), then pour the reserved coconut milk over top the kofta. Garnish with fresh coriander.Enjoy with basmati rice or Naans.

– by Shivani Arora, (Shivani is a well known Auckland based entrepreneur and a restaurateur)