Jan 3, 2011

Kofta Pulav and Warm Wishes!

Let me start off with the most popular three words floating around - Happy New Year! Had I wished a couple of days later - some of you probably might have already broken your resolution. Anyways, have a wonderful 2011. Pick a 'gotto do item' from your bucket list and do it this year. Don't wait for later - now's the time.

I've had a pretty hectic 2 weeks and that's why was missing in action here. Apologies for that. There was just so much going on. And so many sweets to be eaten. Someone had to do it. But these past few days I had a little time to reflect on how much my blog has become a part of my life. How many good friends I've made here and how much happiness and joy this is bringing me all the time. And also how I've impressed an old friend who knew me just as a tom boy in school and she wrote me a whole 2 page letter on my new avatar. Thank you Lavs - I'll be dreaming about your letter for maybe just another 6 months! And then please send me one more.

This recipe today was inspired by Dori's Aloo Biryani - the moment I saw that, this stuff I made below was born in my head. And Dori - those vanilla jamuns...aah...I did die! I cooked this up at my sister's place while I was there on vacation. We made this for a potluck party at a good friend's place - and this friend of my sister has become my official Mriganayani spokesperson for Sacramento area! LOL! Thank you Kavitha for all your encouragement and support!



You could use your favorite veggies or even use paneer or tofu for the koftas. I used potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peas here. Grate all veggies using a food processor or a grater. You don't have to precook anything except the green peas. I always like to cook the green peas for just about 3-4 mins in the microwave before using. That heat takes out the raw smell of the peas and also brings out the sweetness in them. Just wash the other veggies well and grate them. Add the grated vegetables and the peas to a big mixing bowl.

Add salt to taste and add any masala if you want. I added a bit of garam masala and some pav bhaji masala to this. A few mins after you add the salt, you'll see water leaving the vegetables. Using a muslin cloth, squeeze out as much water as you can get. Save the water - you can use it instead of water for any other dish you're cooking. Or even refrigerate it for up to a day.


To the squeezed veggies, add about 4-5 slices of bread, toasted and chopped to crumbs. We used whole wheat bread roll crumbs. Add the crumbs and mix well with the veggies.


Make into small sized balls and set aside.


In a small bowl, take 1/4 cup of besan (chick pea flour) and 1/4 cup of rice flour. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Add about 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder and mix well. Add water to this and make a thin paste - the paste should be thin like fruit juice so that when you dip the kofta balls in here, just a very thin layer of paste sticks to the outside. You don't want the balls to become bulky and heavy to eat.

Dip the balls in this to form a thin coat and then deep fry in hot oil till the koftas turn golden brown.


While that is happening, cook 2 cups of basmati rice with 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 1/2 cups water. Add a pinch of saffron to this while cooking.


In a pan, add about 2 tsp of oil. When hot, add 1 tsp of cumin seeds. And then add onions sliced lengthwise. Add 1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder. Then, mix the cooked rice with this and add salt to taste for the rice. The turmeric added to the onions give the beautiful yellow color to the rice too.


If you are going to serve immediately, you can mix the koftas and the rice together. Or else, just arrange the koftas on top of the rice until you are ready to serve. It does look pretty and also helps to keep the koftas crisp until serving. 


Don't they look pretty?




Sometimes I'm just a ball. Sigh.


The rice is all plain and the koftas have all the veggies. Half of this and half of that in a spoon - perfect bite! Serve hot with a side of raitha or a spicy kurma.


Wish you all a very Happy New Year and don't forget to have a ball this year!


Enjoy. Peace Out!

29 comments:

  1. Mouthwatering koftas... yum yum yum..and wishing you a very happy new year :)

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  2. this is a good one ! have a great 2011 !!

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  3. you cook up the most delicious things! now i want this. btw, do you have malai kofta recipe?

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  4. I love, love koftas!! I want them now-and its 2 AM!!

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  5. Love those veggie koftas in the plain rice. Would like to try Tofu koftas. Been wonderful to hop down here for the lovely recipes and the thoughtful & humorous reads.
    Happy 2011 to you, Mrignayani.

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  6. Kofta pulav looks awesome .New Year wishes to you and ur family

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  7. Happy new year.. Unique and interesting dish

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  8. This one sounds very delicious n interesting

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  9. Very inviting and delectable kofta pulao..Happy 2011 to u and ur family..

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  10. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones too Anu! Have a rollicking year ahead :) :)

    What a treat this one is to the eyes. You bet anyone gorging on this will have a ball at their meal! You know what else I would do in addition to your Kofta Pulav? I'd probably prepare a fiery gravy and pour it over the pulav and stick it in the oven just a couple minutes, and then serve straight from the oven...aaaah bliss! The crisp koftas just softening up in the sauce will be a delight to the taste buds, dont you think? :)

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  11. I'm commenting for the first time as :
    a) its the new year and time to do something new!! as opposed to lurking and lusting after your recipes!!
    and b) the recipe you have posted looks soo tempting :)
    Wishing you a very Happy and Contented year!!

    Smita
    Abu Dhabi

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  12. Happy New Year and thanks this delicious recipe...

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  13. Whoa, I totally love your blog! Such peppy visuals, great step by step instructions, I am your follower.....:-)

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  14. Happy New year Anu.....KOfta pulav looks warm and inviting dear...Tooo good to resist my cravings...

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  15. Anu this is in my to do list(for loooooooooongggggggg.... time and elango was asking me to make this..I am postponing) and this is the dish I made 6 yrs back in singapore TV show and won first prize..not only that this same dish I made for Intercollege cooking competition and won 1st.. its long time in my to do list.. one of my very fav rice and now I am tempted so so much. Yummy :) Hope ur are settled by clearing things ...

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  16. Happy New year Anu. Love these koftas.

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  17. Wow! I am just thrilled to be mentioned on your blog, you have no idea! Thank you so much for the mention and this dish, of course, looks fabulous! Have a Happy New Year, dear :)

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  18. Awesome kofta...Sucha popular dish to start off the new year...Happy New year !!

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  19. Happy New Year. Have wonderful days ahead.

    I had to hop in after seeing the title of the post. Most scrumptious way to start the new year. Wishing to see lotsa good recipes in the coming days. Happy Cooking n Eating

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  20. That looks really exotic..fantastic recipe

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  21. Hey Anu,

    Happy New Year 2011 and hoping this brings to you and your family all that you wish for and more! Lovely dish adn lovely koftas...I woiuld also like a nice homely dal baati on the side...YUM YUm YUM!!!

    Shobha

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  22. I loved the yummy kofta pulao you got to my place and I will make it for sure. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  23. Love this - I was planning to make this last weekend!!

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  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. Hey,

    Lovely and yummy...Just followed you...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.measytocookrecipes.blogspot.com/

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  26. Tanks for visiting my blog and leaving comments.Your koftas look so delectable.

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  27. Kofta pulao looks yummy,Happy New Year to you..

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