Kofta (Meat Ball) Curry

Kofta (Meat Ball) Curry
Serves 4

For the koftas :

• 500 gr lean minced lamb
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 cm cube of root ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
• 60 ml water
• 1 fresh green chili, seeded and chopped
• 2 tbsps chopped coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp salt or to taste

For the gravy:

• 5 tbsps cooking oil
• 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
• 3 cm cube off root ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 2 tsps ground coriander
• 1½ tsps ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 small tin of tomatoes
• 150 ml warm water
• ½ tsp salt or to taste
• 2 black cardamom pods, opened
• 4 whole cloves
• 5 cm piece of cinnamon stick, broken up
• 2 bay leaves crumpled
• 2 tbsps thick set natural yogurt
• 2 tbsps grounds almonds
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

1. Put half the mince, all the garlic, ginger, onion and the water into a saucepan and place cover medium heat. Stir until the mince is heated through.

2. Cover and simmer until all liquid evaporates (±35 minutes) then cook uncovered if necessary, to dry out excess liquid.

3. Combine the cooked mince with the rest of the ingredients, including the raw mince.

4. Put the mixture into a food processor or liquidizer and blend until smooth. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.

5. Dividedthe mixture into approximately 20 balls.

6. Rotate each ball between your plams to make neat round koftas.

7. Heat the oil over medium heat and fry the onions until they are just soft.

8. Add the ginger and garlic and fry for 1 minute.

9. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric and chilli powder and stir quickly.

10. Add one tomato at a time, along with a little juice to the spice mixture, stirring until mixture begins to look dry.

11. Now add the water, salt, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and the bay leaves.

12. Stir once and add the koftas. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

13. Beat the yogurt with a fork until smooth, add the ground almonds and beat again-stir gently into the curry. Cover and simmer until the koftas are firm.

14. Stir the curry gently, cover again, and simmer for ±15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that the thickened gravy does not stick to the pan.

15. Stir in the coriander leaves and remove from heat


Koftas are very popular throughout, they are made using fine lean mince which is blended with herbs and spices