Malai Kofta (Veggie Balls in a Thick Sauce)

Kofta are meatballs, and there are variations of them from the Balkans and Middle East through South Asia. In this dish they are typically made with potatoes and paneer (a fresh farmer’s cheese). Malai simply means cream.

A dish for special occasions, Malai kofta is the delicious vegetarian alternative to meatballs (in Indian cuisine, koftas are meatballs). Although this recipe may take a bit of time to make, the flavorful and creamy results are worth it—and will please any vegetarian looking for a hearty dish. Potatoes, a mixture of vegetables, paneer cheese, heavy cream, and spices are combined well and formed into balls, and then stuffed with chopped nuts and raisins. The koftas are then deep-fried and served in a well-seasoned gravy.