Chana Dal Kofta Recipe By The Spicy Trail | Daal Kofta Curry
Welcome to The Spicy Trail, where we unveil the tantalizing Chana Dal Kofta Recipe aka Daal Kofta Curry, a culinary marvel cherished across households. In this culinary journey, we bring forth a unique twist to the traditional kofta curry.
What is Chana Dal Kofta?
Delve into the essence of Chana Dal Kofta, a dish that intertwines aromatic spices, vegetables, and meticulously prepared chana dal balls. Beginning with soaking and grinding the dal, this process transforms it into a harmonious blend with spices and vegetables, meticulously crafted into savory balls. These delicate creations undergo a journey, first steamed to tender perfection and then gently fried to a golden hue. Finally, they luxuriate in a flavorful gravy, absorbing the essence of each ingredient. Originating from the heart of Indian cuisine, this dish represents a labor of love, marrying tradition and innovation on a plate. Its nutrient-rich components offer not only a palatable experience but also a wholesome dose of essential dietary benefits. Renowned for its taste and revered for its healthful elements, this dish has traversed culinary boundaries, captivating palates worldwide as an esteemed vegetarian delight.
The Recipe!
Now, prepare to embark on the enticing journey towards crafting this culinary masterpiece. Gather your ingredients and kindle your culinary spirit as we delve into the art of creating the Chana Dal Kofta—a blend of tradition and innovation, promising an exquisite dining experience.
Chana Dal Kofta Recipe By The Spicy Trail | Daal Kofta Curry
Course: MainCuisine: Indian, PakistaniDifficulty: Medium6
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcal1
hour10
minutesIngredients
- For Kofta Batter
Dal Chana – 250 gm (Pre-soaked overnight)
Chopped Spinach – 1 Cup (Only leaves, no stems)
Chopped Green Chilies – 2 tbsp
Red Chili Powder – 2/4 tbsp
Salt – 3/4 tbsp
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp
Qasoori Methi – 1 tbsp
Chopped Onion – 4 tbsp
- For Gravy
Cooking Oil – 1 Cup
Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp
Onion Paste – 1.5 Cups
Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp
Salt – 3/4 tbsp
Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp
Red Chili Powder – 3/4 tbsp
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Yogurt – 1 Cup
Water – 500 ml
Fresh Coriander Leaves – 2 tbsp
Directions
- Begin by presoaking 250 grams of chana dal. Drain the soaked dal and grind it thoroughly using an electric chopper, blender, or manual means.
- Combine the ground chana dal with 1 cup chopped spinach (leaves only, no stems), 2 tablespoons chopped green chilies, 2/4 tablespoon red chili powder, 3/4 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon kasoori methi, 4 tablespoons chopped onion. Mix these ingredients well using your hands.
- Grease your hands with oil and take portions of the prepared batter, shaping them into balls.
- Boil water in a pan and place a perforated plate on top. Grease it with cooking oil and arrange all the formed koftas on it. Cover and steam for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow them to cool.
- Heat oil in a pan and carefully fry the steamed koftas until they achieve a light brown color. Once fried, remove them from the oil and set them aside.
- In the same pan with the remaining oil, add 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds and let them crackle. Incorporate 1.5 cups of onion paste, 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, 3/4 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 3/4 tablespoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala, and 1 cup of yogurt. Mix well and cook until the oil starts separating from the gravy.
- Pour 500 ml of water into the pan and bring it to a boil. Gently place the fried koftas in the gravy, ensuring they are submerged. Cover and cook on low flame for 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the flame, garnish with 2 teaspoons of fresh coriander leaves, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Please be aware that the provided calorie information is estimated and may not be entirely accurate, as it can vary based on factors like ingredient brands and portion sizes. We are not responsible for any dietary decisions made based on this information, and we recommend consulting with a nutritionist or using a nutritional calculator for precise calorie counts tailored to your specific ingredients and quantities.
Serving the Dish
Your tantalizing Chana Dal Kofta is now ready to be served. Arrange the koftas in a serving dish, generously ladle the aromatic gravy over them, and garnish with fresh coriander leaves for an enticing presentation. Serve this delightful dish hot with steamed rice, naan, or chapati for a wholesome meal that tantalizes the taste buds.
Storage and Shelf Life
For optimal freshness, store any leftover Chana Dal Kofta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Additionally, these koftas are freezer-friendly. Store them in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bags, ensuring they are properly sealed. They can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Another feasible approach is to store the steamed koftas separately. When you’re ready to indulge, prepare the gravy from scratch and simply add these frozen koftas directly into the simmering sauce. This method ensures a freshly cooked experience with each bite, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly while savoring the dish.
Useful Tips
Here are some useful tips ofr perfect daal k kofte:
- Finely Blending the Lentils: When blending the lentils, aim for a fine consistency without adding excess water. If necessary, use a minimal amount of water to aid the blending process, although it’s preferable to blend without any added water. This helps in achieving the desired texture for the koftas without making the mixture too watery.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: Tailor the spice levels according to your taste preferences. Start with the recommended spice quantities and adjust them to suit your desired level of heat and flavor. It’s easier to incrementally add spices to achieve the perfect balance rather than making the dish overly spicy from the start. Adjust to delight your taste buds!
- Maintaining Kofta Texture: To retain the kofta’s texture, ensure they are completely cooled before frying.
- Gravy Consistency: Adjust the gravy consistency by adding water if it thickens upon reheating.
- Enhancing Flavors: Allow the koftas to soak in the gravy for a while before serving to enhance the flavors.
- Reheating: When reheating, gently warm the koftas in the gravy on a low flame to prevent them from becoming too soft.
As you relish this Chana Dal Kofta experience, explore our wide array of recipes on The Spicy Trail for more delightful culinary inspirations. Discover an assortment of dishes ranging from appetizers to desserts that promise to elevate your dining experience with each flavorful bite.
