🌟 Unique Dish from Cauliflower: Gobhi Malai Kofta Recipe
Cauliflower is one of the most common vegetables in every Indian kitchen. Usually, it is prepared in dry curry, pakoras, parathas, or mixed vegetable form. But if you're looking for something special, rich, and restaurant-style to serve to guests or enjoy on weekends, try Gobhi Malai Kofta – a creamy, luxurious dish where cauliflower balls are soaked in a smooth, flavorful cream-based gravy.
Let’s explore this delicious and unique dish in full detail.
🍽️ Basic Overview:
- Dish Name: Gobhi Malai Kofta
- Prep + Cook Time: 45 to 60 minutes
- Serves: 4 people
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Ideal For: Dinner parties, special occasions, family weekends
🧾 Ingredients
For Kofta (Fried Balls):
- Cauliflower (grated): 2 cups
- Boiled potato (mashed): 1 medium
- Paneer (crumbled): ½ cup
- Bread crumbs: ½ cup
- Green chili (finely chopped): 1
- Ginger (grated): 1 tsp
- Fresh coriander: 2 tbsp
- Salt: to taste
- Black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Garam masala: ½ tsp
- Cornflour: 2 tbsp
- Oil: for deep frying
For Malai Gravy:
- Onions: 2 (finely chopped)
- Tomatoes: 2 (chopped or pureed)
- Cashews: 10–12 (soaked and ground to paste)
- Fresh cream: ½ cup
- Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tbsp
- Bay leaf: 1
- Cloves: 2
- Cinnamon: 1 inch
- Green cardamom: 2
- Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
- Red chili powder: 1 tsp
- Coriander powder: 1 tsp
- Garam masala: ½ tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Oil or butter: 2 tbsp
- Water: 1 cup
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
🔹 Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower
- Wash and chop the cauliflower into small pieces.
- Grate it using a grater or pulse it in a food processor.
- Place the grated cauliflower in a muslin cloth and squeeze out all excess water.
- This step is important to avoid soggy koftas or breaking while frying.
🔹 Step 2: Make Kofta Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine the grated cauliflower, mashed potato, paneer, bread crumbs, green chili, ginger, coriander leaves, salt, pepper, garam masala, and cornflour.
- Mix everything well into a soft but firm dough.
- If the dough feels wet, add more bread crumbs or cornflour.
- Roll the mixture into lemon-sized balls.
- Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the koftas on medium flame until golden brown.
- Remove and place them on tissue paper to soak extra oil.
🔹 Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Gravy
1. Base Masala Preparation:
- Heat oil or butter in a pan.
- Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Let them crackle.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Now add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato puree and cook until the oil separates from the masala.
2. Creamy Cashew Mix:
- Add the cashew paste and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
- Mix well and add 1 cup water. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat.
3. Final Touch:
- Add fresh cream and garam masala.
- Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle fresh coriander at the end and turn off the flame.
🔹 Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Right before serving, gently place the koftas into the warm gravy.
- Don’t let them sit for too long or they may become too soft.
- Pour the gravy into a serving dish, place koftas on top, and garnish with a drizzle of cream and fresh coriander.
🍛 What to Serve With?
This dish pairs wonderfully with:
- Butter naan
- Tandoori roti
- Lachha paratha
- Jeera rice
- Steamed basmati rice
💡 Expert Tips & Tricks
- Kofta Binding Tip: If the mixture is too wet, add bread crumbs or more cornflour. Avoid adding water.
- Low Oil Version: You can shallow-fry or air-fry the koftas for a healthier option.
- Extra Richness: Add a little milk along with cream for a more royal texture.
- No Cashew Option: You can replace cashews with melon seeds (magaz) or blanched almonds.
- Kid-Friendly: Reduce the chili and spice levels to make it suitable for kids.
🧂 Approximate Nutrition Per Serving:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
🎉 When to Make It?
This dish is perfect for:
- Family dinners
- Weekend special meals
- House parties
- Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid
- Celebrations like birthdays or anniversaries
🔚 Final Thoughts
Who says cauliflower is a boring vegetable? With a little creativity and love, it can be turned into a rich, flavorful dish that can rival any restaurant meal. Gobhi Malai Kofta is that perfect example – where humble ingredients like cauliflower, potato, and paneer are transformed into a mouthwatering delicacy.
Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just want to surprise your family with something unique, this dish is sure to win hearts. So why wait? Try it today and let your taste buds celebrate!