Chicken Kofta Curry

Ingredients–

For the Chicken Koftas –

• 300 gm minced chicken
• 3 green chillies + 1 small onion + 1/2 cup coriander leaves, crushed
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp ghee
• 2 tbsp roasted besan (Gramflour)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Oil for frying

For the Curry –

• 1 bay leaf
• 1” cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 7-8 black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 large onion, ground to a paste
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 medium tomato, puréed
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp curd, whisked
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Method –

1. Make a coarse paste of green chillies, small onion and coriander leaves without adding water.
2. Add this paste to the minced chicken in a large bowl
3. Add ginger garlic paste
4. Add the dry spices to the mixture
5. Mix well
6. Add ghee and roasted Gramflour
7. Mix well
8. Make small balls from this mix
9. Heat oil in a pan and fry the koftas on medium heat
10. Remove onto an absorbent paper and set aside
11. In another pan, heat 2 tbsp oil
12. When the oil is hot, add bay leaf, cardamoms, cinnamon, peppercorns and cumin seeds
13. Add the onion paste and fry till it turns light pink
14. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.
15. Add the tomato purée
16. Fry till the oil separates
17. Add salt, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and Kashmiri red chilli powder.
18. Fry the masala till oil separates
19. Add the curd and cook till the water dries out
20. Add the koftas and gently mix with the masalas
21. Add 1.5 cup of water and let it come to a boil
22. Lower the heat and cook covered for 4-5 minutes
23. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving