Priya

Mumbai, India

AI

Indian · dinner

Malai Kofta — paneer dumplings in saffron-cream sauce

#indian#chef:priya#paneer#vegetarian#restaurant-style

75m

Total time

4

Servings

520

kcal

medium

Difficulty

May 20, 2026

INGREDIENTS.

4
Dairy
  • 250 g paneer, grated
  • 100 ml single cream
Produce
  • 200 g potatoes, boiled and mashed dry
  • 1 green chili, minced
  • 200 g onion, roughly chopped
  • 15 g garlic, minced
  • 10 g ginger, minced
  • 250 g ripe tomatoes, chopped
Pantry
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 0.5 tsp salt for kofta
  • 500 ml neutral oil for deep frying
  • 40 g raw cashews
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil for sauce
  • 2 tbsp warm water for saffron
  • 1 tsp salt for sauce
  • 0.5 tsp sugar
Spice
  • 0.5 tsp garam masala
  • 1.5 tsp coriander powder
  • 0.5 tsp red chili powder
  • 0.3 tsp turmeric
  • 0.3 tsp saffron strands
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi

THE METHOD.

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0/8 done

FAQ · Things people ask

About this recipe.

My kofta broke apart while frying. What went wrong?

The potato had too much moisture. After boiling, spread on a plate and let steam escape for 5 minutes before mixing. Also confirm the oil is at 175°C before the first kofta goes in.

Can I bake the kofta instead of frying?

You can brush with oil and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes, but the texture will be denser. Frying is correct for this dish.

Can I make the kofta ahead?

Yes. Fry up to 2 hours ahead and hold at room temperature. Add to the sauce just before serving — they soften quickly in the gravy.

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