It is Sunday. Not any other Sunday, a day which I don’t look forward to every year. It’s bittersweet Sunday.
The boys are starting school tomorrow.
I put them to bed, after giving tight hugs and kisses. It’s 8.30 p.m. The kids haven’t slept this early in two months. I am tempted to sit for another 10 minutes chatting with them, but I know waking up 6 a.m would be hard for them. So I refrain myself and come down with a slight bit of tears. Still, I am happy at the thought that I would have 8 hours to myself.
Can we go out mom, take us swimming mom, bake us a cake mom, love you mom, can we go to the movies mom, I wanna buy a book mom, mom, mom, mom, I love you mom. That was something I heard a lot of and I was sure gonna miss that.
Constant clean ups, constant spills, constantly yelling not to watch screen for more than an hour, constantly asking them to do their chores, hearing ‘I’m hungry, I’m hungry’, a bunch of boys screaming around running in and out of the backyard with shoes and without shoes,,..eww, not something I was gonna miss.
I asked the boys what they wanted to eat and my teen screamed, chicken and my baby boy screamed dosa. Perfect. This was a combination I knew they’d like.
Fast Forward, this Sunday I made this special meal I made that Sunday.
This kofta curry is smooth, very uniquely flavored and it has a special feel to it. Make it for a crowd or just for your family, its almost the same amount of work. Scoop the curry with roti or serve it with some coconut rice, mmm…You could also serve it with dosa(rice pancakes), like we did.
MINCED CHICKEN KOFTA CURRY
Ingredients:
For the kofta
1 pound Minced chicken
2 tbsp ginger/garlic paste
1 tsp green chilly paste or tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp finely chopped mint
1/2 red onion grated
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 egg
1 tsp salt or accordingly
OIL for deep frying or you could steam this
For the curry:
2 tbsp vegetable oil + 2 tbsp oil
1 inch cinnamom stick
4 cloves
3 cardamom pods
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
6 red chillies(use according to your taste)
6 cloves garlic
2 inch piece of ginger sliced
1 medium red onion chopped
2 medium tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh grated coconut or frozen coconut
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
2 cups water
1 tsp finely chopped cilantro for garnishing
Method:
1. In a bowl, add the minced chicken along with all the other ingredients except the oil. Mix with light hand and do not over mix.
2. Make some round portions and keep it aside.
3. Heat 2-3 cups of oil. On medium high flame, fry the koftas up till browned. Keep aside
4. In a fry pan, add 2 tbsp oil. Let it get hot and add the cinnamom stick, cloves cardamom, cumin,coriander and red chillies. Fry a bit until you smell the spices, making sure not to burn it.
5. Add the chopped onion, garlic, ginger and fry on medium heat till it’s lightly browned.
6. Add the coconut and fry for a minute. Turn off the heat and let cool and come to room temperature.
7. Grind the mixture to a fine paste along with the tomatoes, adding a little bit of water I used a BLEND TEC equivalent. You can also use a Oster, make sure to add enough water to grind, not a lot. Get it to a smooth texture.
8. In another pan add oil and add the ground mixture to it, add some salt and turmeric. Add the rest of the water and on medium flame let the mixture cook. Let boil for 15 minutes.
9. Add the fried koftas and let simmer it for another 10 minutes. Check for salt and the curry should not be too runny or thick.
10. Garnish with cilantro. Traditionally served with coconut rice( brown butter -coconut -peas pilaf), dosa( rice pancake) or rotis.
ENJOY!
Note: You can steam the koftas alternatively to reduce the fat calories, it works good.
I’ve used minced chicken, you could use minced beef, minced lamb. Traditionally they make with lamb and beef.
This is a very traditional recipe which uses a lot of dry spices, you can alter the spice level to your taste.
Authentic COCONUT MILK RICE– Yum Yum Yum
Authentic DOSA-RICE AND LENTIL CREPE– E Curry
Oh that looks so good! I am craving Indian food but don’t feel well today and I don’t have the energy to make some. I wish you lived closer 🙁
Your dosas are perfect! Now, I’m craving those…..dammit.
Oh and I went to my sons parent conf yesterday and he surprised the heck out of us and we came home very proud parents, with an 8 yr old boy, it’s hit or miss!
Let me go rummage for food….
Nazneen xx
@Nazneen- hope you are OK..aww I wish I could pack some for you..take care my dear.
You are so dang right.. with the little ones it can be a hit or miss :).
Killer color! Sexy texture! A curry as appetizing as it gets 🙂
Loved all the unique pictures…what I love about your posts is, you get out of the box and experiment with different settings, light, angle, composition…even you try to stay ‘daring’ in post-processing; example, very last picture 🙂
You are one hell of a creative fashionista-foodista!
Love you.
So how did the parents conference go?
@Nusrat- great words to keep me going for a long time..thanks jaan hugs.
The conference was surprisingly good, nothing about his hyper behavior and constant questions..good news.:).
Absolutely gorgeous, Asha! You simply amaze me with your cooking, styling and photography skills. You are a total natural, my friend. You are in-the-zone! And, your family is very blessed to have you preparing their favorite dishes. I always look forward to your posts. Have a lovely weekend, girl!
What a rich dish! I am smitten with your photography 🙂
Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous color! I am getting hungry just looking at this!
@Stacy- Thank you so much and I look forward to your feedback and you have a great weekend my dear.
@Daniela-thanks so much my friend.
@Cathleen-Thanks girl.
What a lovely post, Ash! I’m always sentimental the night before school starts. What a wonderful, special meal this looks like, too. I’d love to dive right in!
A yummy recipe!! I’ve never had a non-veg kofta curry before. Must try 🙂
Loved reading about your boys — sounds like they have a great set of parents 🙂
Our kids’ conference is the first week of November and I look forward to finding out how they are doing. 🙂 Beautiful Kofta Curry Meatballs! Pinned~~.
Sunday is the best relaxing day of the week – before the big week! I hope you find some time to yourself 🙂 it’s nice to relax just for a day! The curry looks really good, I would totally try out the curry recipe with some nice toasted coconut rice 😉 mmmmm!
What a gorgeous dinner table and spread! Anyone would love to sit down to that. My son’s teacher conf. is in early November. I’m really happy (and calm) because we won the teacher lotto this year – he has the most amazing teacher and I’m so thankful. Here’s to great teachers and moms who cook like rock stars. ; )
What a beautiful dinner! I got filled up thinking about that day coming to my house – I am so not ready for that!
Asha, you given our dosa an exotic looks with all these. Yummy kofta curry perfect for any time. Have a great weekend.
Your kofta curry is gorgeous! Definitely a comforting meal to enjoy.
I know….sending the kids off to school is so bitter-sweet. 🙂 Love the way to narrate your story.
I’m so copying this curry recipe of yours, it has everything I like and in the right balance. That’s a killer recipe!
I always hated going back to school when I was a kid! That getting up early stuff isn’t for me. 😉 Great looking kofta. I’d definitely make it in quantity, and freeze some. Super post – thanks so much.
There are soooo many curries in this world I feel I need to get my curry on. GREG
@Alyssa- I know, it is a tough one.
@Monica- TEACHERS rock it..a shout out to them for sure and mum’s too.
@Amy- thanks sweets
@Mike- thanks, you will love it.
@KR-Yes, that’s a great tip there, freezing the masala is perfect.
@Greg- Yes, so many to try, so many to enjoy right.
This looks like such a rich, fulfilling meal. Would be a perfect weekend meal for us! Thanks!
Aww the kids are back to school. You are such a good mommy to your boys. These kofta are divine. Love the element of chicken surprise here I totally expected beef cause’ that is what I am used to when I hear at least in the middle eastern case of koftas. 🙂
Just like how our lives are always colorful with our kids, this dish has the same impact. I adore the vibrant color and its a fav among many.
Perfect pairing with dosa but I will still prefer my rice.
This meal sounds absolutely perfect to end summer with, and also just to celebrate any sunday! Total comfort food.
Oh my gosh, this sounds like such a mouthwatering meal. And I love how it looks!
I cant tell you how much I am craving for this food now..Looks amazing…great idea of pairing it with Dosa 🙂 …Oh my am so damn hungry now!!!
I too hate it when the little is back to school after hols.. I having her the whole day home is so much fun.. The meatballs look delicious and love that red sauce.. Inviting I say
OH, Ash! It’s so cold today and this looks so perfect and comforting. It could really motivate me to venture outside after a meal like this!
@Nav-well said, life’s so colorful with little ones.
@Joanne- Oh yes, it is total comfort food.
@Shema- It does work so well with dosa..
@Rekha- thanks.
Wow, Ash! This is what I call a comforting meal. I’d be quite happy to have this curry with both that coconut rice and dosa. I think I’ll need to visit you in SF.
I love koftas and I’m imagining vegetarian ones in your pictures 🙂 Koftas ought to be my most favorite curries when ordering out. And I love that you paired dosas with it, I do it often, with almost anything. I especially like dosa with pav bhaji 🙂
Your recipes and pics are something else missy!
Kofta s are among my favorite foods and yours look soo good.
The tomato sauce gives a gorgeous,colorful twist to this dish, love it!
WOW this looks amazing! I even glanced over the ingredients list and I have most of the stuff. I am so in awe with your photography skills all the time, I must of mentioned at least 100 times. It sounds bittersweet to be a mom but I’m sure it is nice to have a little piece and quiet during the day. 🙂
This is beautiful and so full of flavor. I love curry, I just wish my family did. They aren’t fans so I’ll have to try this sometime when they aren’t around. Looks positively delicious!
What a phenomenal way to serve meatballs! And a gorgeous presentation as always. Now I’m hungry again 🙂
Aww what a memory! I bet you will miss their sounds during the day but hopefully you’ll have some time to yourself too 😀
A super comfort dish, Asha. The tomato gravy looks absolutely divine.
To be honest I really enjoy these childless moments when my son is at school! I can do something for me only! The curry looks absolutely inviting and comforting!
Oh my…I am truely craving for this curry!!!! The pictures are stunning and I cannot stare at them anymore, because its lunch time and its making me hungry :). Your kids sounds just like mine. They are the blessings.
Thanks.<3
@Archana- never tried dosa with pav bhaji, now that sounds interesting.
@Daniela-thanks so much my dear.
@Katerina- oh ofcourse…I enjoy the time alone..it’s precious:).
@Shibi-aren’t we lucky..hugs
This looks amazing Asha – pinning this for later – I know my kids would love this!
That is lip smacking good. Beautiful kofta curry and I love the addition of coconut in the gravy.
This looks perfect for the cold weather; comforting and rich!
Looks perfect ash!! I like moody pics… 🙂 I am sure it tasted yummy too 🙂
I love these meatballs look amazing!!
Asha -WOW! That first photo left me breathless!
Then the drool started!
Kofta is one of my favs and yours is exceptionally GORGEOUS!
wow, such a beautiful presentation. The combination sounds delectable.. chicken and coconut. Yum! Awww.. what a sentimental post about your boys. it’s funny how much anyone is willing to do for their kids.
would love to have that with naan.
What a fantastic spread! The food looks to die for. I love koftas and really wish I could come over to your place for some. Love your style of presenting the food too. Always so inviting!
So smitten by your food styling and photography. You give these koftas a divine look !
Brilliant girl !
Ohhh, thank you so much. I am so blown away by your lovely comments.
@Asmita-I would love to have you over for dinner with your stunning cookies..how awesome would that be.
@Sukanya-thanks a ton for your sweet words..you sure made me happy today.
Hi Asha, I found this recipe on pinterest, and made it earlier this week – it’s absolutely delicious! One thing I want to do differently next time is get the spice mixture to a creamier texture. I couldn’t get mine as smooth as yours appears in the photo – I used a small food processor, but I’m curious what tool you used to grind the mixture to a fine paste? thank you so much!
Thank You so much Sarah. I’m sorry not to have mentioned the appliance that I used. I used an equivalent of a Blendtec, an oster blender will do good too. I hope it helps.
I will for sure add a line about the appliance used.
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Aha! Thank you for the quick response. Will try that next time. Happy new year to you as well!