How to Cook Nawabi Kesar Koftas

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Serves: 4 People

Ingredients for Nawabi Kesar Koftas :

• a few saffron (kesar) strands
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup grated mawa (khoya)
• 1/2 cup grated paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1/2 cup boiled , peeled and grated potatoes
• 1 tbsp roughly chopped raisins (kismis)
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp plain flour (maida)
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• salt to taste

To Be Blend Into A Smooth Paste (using 1/4 Cup Of Water)

• 3/4 cup sliced onions
• 1 tbsp broken cashewnuts (kaju)
• 1 tbsp chopped almonds (badam)
• 2 tsp coriander (dhania) seeds
• 2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds (khus-khus)
• 2 tsp aniseeds (vilayati saunf)
• 2 tbsp freshly grated coconut
• 2 tsp chopped ginger (adrak)
• 1 tsp chopped green chillies
• 4 whole dry kashmiri red chillies , broken into pieces
• 2 cardamoms (elaichi)
• 2 cloves (laung / lavang)
• a small stick of cinnamon (dalchini)
• 6 curry leaves (kadi patta)
• salt to taste

For The Gravy

• 1 tbsp oil
• 4 tbsp tomato puree
• 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• salt to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh cream

For The Garnish

• 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

How to Cook Nawabi Kesar Koftas :

1. Combine the saffron and milk in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Combine all the ingredients along with the saffron-milk mixture in a deep bowl and mix well.
3. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
4. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai and deep-fry, a few koftas at a time, on a medium flame till they turn golden brown in colour from all sides.
5. Drain on an absorbent paper and keep aside.

For the gravy

1. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the prepared paste and sauté on a medium flame for 5 minutes.
2. Add the tomato purée, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring continuously.
3. Add ½ cup of water, dried fenugreek leaves and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
4. Lower the flame, add the fresh cream, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.

How to proceed

1. Just before serving, re-heat the gravy, add the koftas, mix gently and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
2. Serve hot garnished with coriander.