I made these koftas with simple ingredients. I wanted a sort of crunchy paneer taste, and then I wanted a contrasting semi-sweet sauce to tease the buds and satisfy all the senses – a medium to hot curry sauce to accompany these wonderful and unique koftas. Then a mild vegetable such as spinach, I thought, would be ideal not to overburden the system. A slight twist, with a sweet and savoury mix, creating a very exotic and unique delicious curry – ideal for creating a special environment for love, warmth and contentment. Added to which, this recipe is relatively easy to make.
HOW TO MAKE THE KOFTA BALLS
INGREDIENTS
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained
- 1 cup of mixed nuts (cashews & almonds work well)
- ½ tsp curry powder
- salt (it will need some, otherwise it will taste like a dessert)
- 3 tbsp Tofutti plain cream cheese
- 1 tbsp parsley or coriander, finely chopped
- the zest of 1 lime
- the juice of ½ lime
METHOD
Place the nuts in a blender, and blend till rough crumbs form. Then add the chickpeas, and pulse again a few times. Now add the remainder of the ingredients, and pulse for a few moments – you want a very thick consistency, akin to a big dough ball. Place this ball onto a lightly floured surface.
Next, pour some oil in a little saucer, and rub the palms of your hands in the oil. Then pinch around an inch and a half of the chickpea mix, roll into a ball with the palms of your hands, then place the ball on a plate. Repeat this process until you have made approximately 13-14 balls, making sure they are a little oily in order that the pistachio and rose coating adhere to the balls.
INGREDIENTS AND METHOD FOR KOFTA BALLS COATING
- ¼ cup of unsalted pistacchio nuts
- 1 tsp dried rose edible petals
Place the above in a coffee grinder or processor, and process until crumbs are formed, then remove and set aside.
Next step is take each ball and immerse it into the pistachio and rose mix – turn it around quite a bit, so you get a good coating all over. Place each coated ball onto a greaseproof surface – best to use greaseproof paper, and grease that a little too.
Place all the coated balls in a hot oven – just under 200ºC degrees – for 25 minutes or so until they turn golden, but since ovens vary, do keep an eye on them. Once they are ready, take them out of the oven and set aside.
Meanwhile, let’s make the sauce.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp cardamon granules or powder
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp tikka paste
- 2 cups of spinach (frozen thawed will do fine)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup of dairy-free cream – use either soya or other of your choice
- 3 tbsp agave nectar syrup
- salt to taste (will need 1 or 2 tsp)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of coconut cream
- 1 tsp red food colouring
- 1 tsp rose essence
METHOD
Pulse the onion and garlic in a processor. Meanwhile heat some olive or coconut oil in a saucepan, and fry the onion and garlic, mixing all the time. When all turns transparent, add all the spices, and continue to mix - I suggest you add a little more oil at this point.
Next, add in the remaining ingredients, except for the cream. Lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it won’t stick or burn.
Finally, add the cream (coconut and other), and leave the sauce uncovered until it reduces and thickens. Don’t allow it to boil or separate – you’ll need to keep the heat low to avoid this.
When it’s ready, leave it uncovered until it cools down, then cover it.
HOW TO SERVE
Serve on a bed of basmati rice – place your cooked basmati rice on an oven-proof serving dish, add the sauce in the centre, and the balls around the edges of the rice, making sure to squeeze plenty of fresh lime juice on top of them too.
Voila, a feast to the eye, soul and palette.
Enjoy !
All recipes, content & design © Miriam Sorrell mouthwateringvegan.com 2010
These are free recipes for your pleasure – all we ask in return is that you take a few moments to leave a constructive comment !
Hi, I'm Miriam. I love meatless dishes, I love my kitchen, I adore food and am a passionate gourmet cook. Here you will find a host of delicious vegan recipes (meat-free, egg-free and dairy-free) - some are Mediterranean inspired, some have an Eastern touch, whilst others are simply inspired by ingredients that I love and experiment with. Most of the recipes are very nutritious. I have tried my utmost to combine the idea of eating healthily with great tasting recipes, which in the main are easy to prepare.
February 10th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
This looks fantastic! We will definitely be making this!
February 10th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
This dish is a work of art, Miriam! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and ensuring another wonderful vegan experience. As they say, you’re the bomb!
February 10th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
such a cute idea!
February 10th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Totally agree Miriam, It doesn’t get any better!!! Yum! My type of meal! kofta masala and basmatti rice, I’ll prepare it soon! What cute presentation!♥♥♥
February 10th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Hi there dear Alma, thank you so much for bringing delight to this recipe with your wonderful words. I do hope you enjoy it and I really look forward to your feedback on this as and when. Very, very best to you truly.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Hi there Billie, thanks so much for dropping by and I do hope you enjoy this recipe at some point. Cheers to you.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Van Hi there, truly you make the cooking experience very much a worthwhile one with your wonderful words that I embrace. Thank you and I await your feedback and comments on my blog wholeheartedly. Cheers, best to you and enjoy this !!!
February 10th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Jessica dear Hi there and welcome to my site. I am delighted that you will be making this soon and I dearly look forward to your feedback on this dish and all my others. Very best to you and Cheers !
February 10th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I love the presentation and the kofta balls!
February 11th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Hi there Rich and welcome here – thanks for dropping by with your compliment. Hope you make them and comment. Cheers to you !
February 13th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Do you have a soy free option?
February 14th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Hi there Mark and welcome here – thanks for dropping by with your comment. I think that you may add 1 or 2 tablespoons of vegan cream of your choice, non-soya – am not sure what is available where you live – or plain vegan yogurt may well do the trick. Hope you make and enjoy it, do let me know. Cheers to you in the meantime.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
OK, I must say that I was excited to have a new recipe to experiment with upon visiting my girlfriend and her family over the week. What a GIFT it was to share in the preparatiuon of this amazing and delicious treat!! We love your balss so much, that we devoured them twice this week. Thank you for sharing your incredible culinary talents with us Miriam! You have won our stomachs and our hearts with this one. BRAVO!!
February 19th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
OK, I must say that I was excited to have a new recipe to experiment with upon visiting my girlfriend and her family over the week. What a GIFT it was to share in the preparatiuon of this amazing and delicious treat!! We love your Kofta Masala balls so much, that we devoured them twice this week. Thank you for sharing your incredible culinary talents with us Miriam! You have won our stomachs and our hearts with this one. BRAVO!!
February 20th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Hi there Miguel and welcome here. So wonderful to have received your delightful comment – I am over-joyed at this win-win situation and that everybody enjoyed my masala balls which were devoured twice this week ! Wow, that really is something. Thank you for letting me know and I do hope you try out my other curries, I promise you they will not disappoint you (the roast curried one, or the red bomb one are really awesome !). I look forward to your future comments on my blog Miguel. Cheers and very best to you !
February 20th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Have responded to your previous comment – am pleased you all enjoyed this dish. Cheers.
February 26th, 2012 at 3:08 am
Incredible!! Sounds like it would taste as good as it looks. Well done Miriam, and thank you
February 26th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Hi there Food Lovers International and great to have you again – it does taste rather yummy I have to say ! Very best to you always !
March 27th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I made this last night and it was a hit! I will definitely make this over and over again. Loved the kofta balls smothered in the masala sauce! Miriam’s recipes are always so full of flavor, I felt like I was at a restaurant.
March 27th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Lori Hi there and many thanks indeed for dropping by here with your wonderful comment. I am delighted that this dish was a hit and hope you enjoy my other curries and recipes, I will look forward to your future comments on my blog. All the best to you !