palak queen paneer king kofta

Palak

 

Paneer for Balls

Dry fruit,yogurt stuffing

                             Paneer king palak Queen Kofta

 

Interesting name,huh! Of course,this name was suggested by my dear cousin Renu di as we were discussing this dish on phone. I uploaded some pictures of my creation on whatsapp and everyone was quite curious what dish was that😇! So as I was detailing the recipe to her, she asked 'what name you have chosen for the dish" and I replied "nothing in particular,still thinking". Then she instantly suggested this name and hence this royal type of dish got this unique royal name.

 It is a time taking dish but trust me, the end result is marvelous! And the plus point is that you can prepare this dish as the main course as well as the appetizer! The explosion of delicate aromatic flavors in your mouth will be mind boggling! 

Ingredients for Paneer Stuffing:

1. Coriander leaves-2-3 sprigs
2. Green chilli-1-2
3. Cashew Nuts-4
4. Almonds-3
5. Green Pistachio-2-3
6. Melon Seeds-1/2 tsp.
7. Green Cardamon-2
8. Salt- One pinch
9. Greek yogurt or Thick curd-1-2 tsp.
10. Sugar-1/2 tsp.

Grind these with yogurt and keep aside.  

Ingredients for Paneer Balls:

1. Paneer-1 cup
2. Salt

Mash the paneer till it becomes very smooth. Keep aside.
  

Ingredients for Palak Kofta:

1. Palak-1 bunch
2. Roasted besan-3-4 tbsp. 
3. Roasted cumin powder-1 tsp.
4. Red chilli powder-1 tsp.
5. Oil for frying
6. Salt

Ingredients for Gravy:

1. Onion-3 medium size
2. Ginger-Garlic paste-1 tsp.
3.  Tomatoes-2 medium(skin removed)
4. Kasoori methi-1/2 tsp.
5. Red chilli powder-2 tsp.
6. Kashmiri mirch powder-2 tsp.
7. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp.
8. Coriander powder-1 tsp.
9. Salt
10. Water
11. Garam Masala powder( I freshly grind 2 green cardamom,1 Black cardamom,2 cloves,1" piece of Cinnamon,Mace a little and 4-5 Black Peppers).
12. Bay Leaf-1
13. Oil-3 heaped tbsp. 

 

Procedure:

• First we will make the preparation for the gravy.
• In a pressure cooker , put thickly cut onions with coriander powder,turmeric and red chilli powder and salt.
• Add about quarter cup of water and covering the lid,cook it till 3 whistles on slow flame. 
• De pressurize the cooker, open the lid and mash the masala with a thick laddle.
• Heat the oil and throw bay leaf.
• Add ginger-garlic paste.
• Now add mashed masala,tomatoes,kashmiri mirch powder and salt.  
• Bhuno till oil separates from masala.
• Sprinkle ground garam masala and kasoori methi.

The gravy is ready,now we will fry koftas.

• Clean palak and chop it.
• Now heat this in a kadai with 1 tsp. oil and hing.
• When water dries up,turn off the heat.
• After cooling,add roasted besan,chilli powder,salt and make large portions for kofta balls.

Let us make paneer balls now.

• Thoroughly mix paneer and salt and knead till it becomes smooth.
• In your palm, take a portion and stuff it with dry fruit- yogurt stuffing, close the ball .

Now this paneer ball will be stuffed in palak balls. When each ball is stuffed,heat oil for frying them.
After frying the stuffed kofta balls, cut them in half.
You can serve these as appetizer.
Now prepare the serving dish: on the bottom.pour the gravy and on top of this,arrange half cut kofta balls.
Garnish with dhaniya patta and serve. I also used beaten yogurt to keep the dish on lighter side. You can use cream if you like.

PS.  The flavor and moisture of paneer stuffing will definitely explode in your mouth 😛