Vegan Dumplings in Creamy Curry (Malai Kofta)

Vegan Dumplings in Creamy Curry (Malai Kofta)

Malai Kofta is a famous Indian dish. Traditionally made with deep fried dairy based cottage cheese dumplings dunked into a cream based gravy. My vegan version lightens this scrumptious recipe by air frying the dumplings. Also, using sunflower butter to thicken the gravy provides the perfect creamy base replacing  dairy completely. Gluten free bread works well in place of normal bread too.

The Koftas –

We need,

• Bread Slices – 8 to 10 ( I used leftover sourdough!)
• Boiled Potatoes – 2
• Corn Flour – 2 tablespoons
• Dry Mango Powder – 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder – 1 teaspoon
• Paprika – 1 teaspoon
• Salt, to taste

Directions,

1. Tear up the bread slices (about 1 cup) and soak in 1/2 cup of water to soften.
2. Mash the potatoes and mix into the bread mixture.
3. Mix in the spices and salt.
4. Sprinkle cornflour and make a soft dough
5. Air fry or, bake in a hot oven for 15 – 18 minutes at 185 degrees Celsius.
6. Set aside to cool.

The Gravy –

We need,

• Onion, roughly chopped – 1 big
• Garlic Cloves – 3 to 4
• Ginger – 3 ” piece
• Green Chillies – 2
• Oil – 2 tablespoons
• Tomato Paste – 4 tablespoons
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Kasuri Methi) – 2 teaspoons
• Sunflower Butter – 3 to 4 tablespoons
• Water, warm – 1.5 to 2 cups
• Salt, to taste

Spices:

• Cumin, Coriander, Green Cardamom & Fennel Seeds – 1 teaspoon
• Cloves – 4 to 5
• Cinnamon – 1″ piece

Directions,

1. Blend the onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies and fenugreek leaves together into a smooth paste, using very little water.
2. Heat oil and cook the above paste on a slow flame stirring constantly until the edges start to brown.
3. Add the tomato paste and cook for another 5 minutes on a slow flame.
4. Roast the spices in the meantime and powder.
5. Add the spice powder to the tomato onion gravy, merrily bubbling away!
6. Stir in the Sun butter until well mixed.
7. Add the water and bring to a boil.
8. Add the dumplings ( koftas) and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
9. Garnish with coriander leaves, cashews or fried shallots, if preferred.

Serve warm with Cumin Fried Rice or, plain Layered Flat Bread (Parathas).

Vegan Dumplings in Creamy Curry (Malai Kofta)