Easy Malai Kofta Recipe for Beginners | Creamy Indian Dumplings with Gravy (USA Style)

यह लेख Sapne Kitchen की रेसिपी सीरीज़ का हिस्सा है।

🍽️ Malai Kofta Recipe (Creamy Indian Dumplings for Beginners in USA)

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Malai Kofta is a rich, creamy, and indulgent vegetarian dish from India, perfect for special occasions or house parties. Soft dumplings made from paneer and potatoes are simmered in a luscious, flavorful tomato-based gravy. Whether you’re hosting a dinner or want a restaurant-style dish at home, this is the recipe to impress your friends and family!

🍽️ Some meals don’t just feed your body—they feed your soul.

That’s what Malai Kofta has always been for me.

When I moved away from home, thousands of miles across the ocean, I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the comfort of a warm Indian kitchen, the smell of cumin and ginger, or the joy of sitting at the table with people I love. 🇮🇳 ➡️ 🇺🇸

So I started cooking—not just to eat, but to reconnect.
To hold on to a piece of where I come from, and to share it with where I am now.

🌟 That’s why I started this blog: to bring those flavors, feelings, and stories into your home too.
Because food is more than a recipe.
It’s love you can taste.
It’s memory you can make again.
It’s culture shared one bite at a time.

This Malai Kofta recipe isn’t complicated. It’s simple. It’s rich. It’s warm.
Just like the memories it’s made of.

Whether you're from Mumbai, Minneapolis, or Miami—if you’ve ever missed home, missed flavor, or just wanted to try something new with heart… this dish is for you. 💛

Let’s cook. Let’s connect. Let’s come home, one plate at a time.

#FromIndiaWithLove #FoodThatConnects #MalaiKoftaMemories #TasteOfHomeUSA #IndianComfortFood #HeartfeltRecipes #CookWithLove

🛒 Ingredients

For the Koftas (Dumplings):

• 1 cup paneer (cottage cheese), grated
• 1/2 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (maida)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
• Ghee or oil for frying (if deep frying)

For the Gravy:

• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 medium tomatoes, pureed
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup cashew nuts (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes)
• 1/4 cup cream (for a creamy texture)
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi)
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (for garnish)

🔥 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Koftas (Dumplings)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine grated paneer, mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, cardamom powder, and salt.
2. Mix everything into a soft dough. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.
3. Divide the dough into small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Roll them gently into smooth balls.

Step 2: Fry the Koftas (Optional)

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan.
2. Gently fry the koftas on medium heat, turning them until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.
3. Remove from oil and set aside. (Note: You can also opt for shallow frying to reduce oil use.)

Step 3: Make the Gravy

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan and add chopped onions. Sauté until golden brown.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
3. Now, add pureed tomatoes and cook until the oil separates from the masala (about 5-7 minutes).
4. Add turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. In a blender, grind the soaked cashews with a little water to form a smooth paste. Add this paste to the gravy.
6. Stir in cream and Kasuri methi, and let the gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Combine the Koftas and Gravy

1. Once the gravy is rich and creamy, gently add the fried koftas to the curry.
2. Let the koftas soak in the gravy for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a little cream on top.

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve Malai Kofta with:

• Butter naan or garlic naan
• Steamed basmati rice or jeera rice
• A side of onion salad or raita to balance the richness

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✅ Pro Tips

• If you want a healthier version, you can steam the koftas instead of frying them.
• Adjust the creaminess to your liking—add more cream for a richer taste.
• Serve the Malai Kofta immediately after adding the koftas to the gravy to maintain their soft texture.