Roasted Spinach Kofta

 
 

Do you love spinach as much as Popeye? You’ll surely love this spinach and paneer combo in a roasted kofta form served together with a delicious makhani gravy.

MAKES 6 pieces

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE OUTER COVERING

  • 300g spinach leaves (no stalks)

  • 2 tbsp almond powder

  • 2 tbsp corn flour

  • Pinch of salt

  • Pinch of baking soda

  • 1 tsp olive oil

FOR THE INNER BALL

  • 120g grated paneer

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • Pinch of cardamom powder

FOR THE KOFTA

  • Oil for roasting the kofta

  • Some corn flour for dusting

FOR MAKHANI GRAVY

Follow instructions HERE for Makhani Gravy

Method

  1. Boil 500ml water, add a pinch of baking soda and add washed spinach leaves in it. Blanche the spinach for 2 minutes on high heat. Drain it after 2 minutes in a sieve and wash under cold water. Squeeze out the extra water from the spinach by pressing it with a spoon and chop the cooked spinach and leave aside.

  2. Mix salt and cardamom powder together with the grated paneer and mash it with your hands. Mix well and make 6 small equally sized balls.

  3. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and add chopped spinach. Stir for a minute and add almond powder and corn flour. Take off the heat and add a pinch of salt. Mix well with hands.

  4. Divide the spinach mixture into 6 parts and take one part and flatten in between your palms. Now put one paneer ball in the center and cover from all sides with the spinach part and roll into round koftas.

  5. Repeat for all 6 balls.

  6. Roll each ball or dust all balls with corn flour on all sides.

  7. Heat the paniyaram pan on medium heat. Add a few drops of oil in each of the moulds and cook one kofta in each of them. Cook it covered on medium heat. Flip with a spoon after sprinkling oil on top. Flip and cook the koftas on all sides till light golden and remove in a plate.

  8. Serve these kofta with makhani gravy with naan, roti or rice.

Helpful TIPS

  • It is important to squeeze out any excess water from the spinach to help get the perfect round shape for the koftas.

  • You can substitute baking soda with 1 tsp fresh lemon juice.

  • Almond powder is used to help bind the kofta together and is healthier than the alternative roasted gram flour.

  • If your spinach layer is not forming properly, add more almond powder.

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