Vegan Malai Kofta (Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
Today I share with you one of our all time favorite Indian dishes, Malai Kofta. Traditionally, this dish is a rich combination of fried potato, veggie, and cheese meatball/dumplings floating in a creamy spiced tomato sauce. Served with rice or flat bread, it really is a treat. Of course we modified this recipe and made it both vegan and gluten-free, but kept all of the tastiness and fragrant flavors. It does take a bit of prep work, so save it for a weekend or a day when you have a bit of extra time. If you want to make ahead, you can make the sauce ahead of time (actually tastes better when made a day ahead), and simply reheat and drop in the freshly made dumplings. These crispy potato delights can be baked as I show you here, or fried until golden brown on all sides. This was probably the dish that got us hooked on Indian cuisine back in the day, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Vegan Malai Kofta (Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
Ingredients
Kofta (Crispy Potato Veggie Meatball/Dumplings)
- 2 cups of russet potato, unpeeled and chopped
- ½ cup of carrot, chopped
- ½ cup of peas, frozen
- 2 Tablespoons of toasted cashews, finely chopped
- ¼ cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ teaspoon of salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon of turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin
- ½ cup of chickpea flour
Spiced Tomato Sauce/Gravy
- 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 cup of yellow onion, diced finely
- 1 teaspoon of serrano chili, finely chopped (or pinch of cayenne)
- 1 cup of tomatoes, chopped or pureed
- 2 Tablespoons of cashews, toasted and ground (coffee grinder works well)
- 1 cup of canned coconut milk
- 1 cup of water, or as needed
- ¼ teaspoon of garam masala (leave out if you don't have it, or put pinch cinnamon)
- ¼ teaspoon of turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon of coriander, ground
- ¼ teaspoon of salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ¼ cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring a medium pot of water to boil and add potatoes and carrots, cook for 10-15 minutes until easily mashable with a fork. Add peas and cook 1-2 minutes more, then drain water and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool.
- Meanwhile start sauce in a deep skillet, sauté pan or wok. Heat 1 tablespoon of medium-high heat oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and cook until they begin to sizzle. Add onion, ginger, and serrano pepper if using. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until onion begins to brown. Add tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes more. Transfer mixture to a blender (or food processor) and carefully blend until smooth. Return to pan and add remaining ingredients, saving water for the end and adding as much as you need to make a nice gravy consistency (it will continue to thicken as it cooks). Combine ingredients and stir well, let it bubble gently over low heat while you prepare koftas. If too watery, you can add additional cashew powder to thicken it.
- Add remaining ingredients to koftas, stir and a thick dough will form. Oil a metal baking sheet and form koftas into golf ball sized balls, placing a few inches apart on sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes until crispy on the bottom and flip over. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy on all sides.
- When koftas are done, drop them in the heated gravy and serve immediately with rice or bread of your choice
Notes
- If you want to make ahead, you can make the sauce ahead of time (actually tastes better when made a day ahead), and simply reheat and drop in the freshly made dumplings.
- These crispy potato delights can be baked as I show you here, or fried until golden brown on all sides.Â
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About Toni
Welcome to Plant-Based on a Budget! Here you’ll find affordable and easy-to-make recipes, and an inclusive, supportive approach to plant-based eating.
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