
Vegan Malai Kofta (Indian curry with dumplings)
Do you love Indian food?
Is that a stupid question?
I’m sure some people aren’t big fans, but even the pickiest eaters I know go nuts for Indian – it’s kinda like sushi that way.
I have always loved Indian food, and my absolute favourite dish to order is Malai Kofta. It’s a thick, creamy tomato sauce with cheese dumplings. I then order fresh baked naan, saffron rice and maybe – as an appetizer – some deep-fried vegetable pakora…
Yeah, Indian food can also be heavy! And trust me, regular Malai Kofta is not vegan.
Now, I’m not vegan myself, but when I see a chance to lighten up a recipe and make it suitable for my lovely vegan friends and blog readers, I’ll do it!
It should be noted: my knowledge of Indian cooking is next to nothing. I have a lovely Indian lady who is one of our next-door neighbours who has given me some pointers, but beyond what I’ve picked up from her and other chefs I have met, I am still as clueless as ever.
I tried my hand with this delicious Riso alla Orientale and this Tofu Curry, and both are great, but I still wasn’t confident to just launch out on my own. So I turned to a great blog for ideas before trying this recipe out myself – this is adapted from Spices ‘n’ Aroma‘s wonderful blog.
So give it a try and see what you think; I may still have failed you if you are going to compare this to your favourite Indian restaurant’s takeout. But for an at-home, vegan version with a fraction of the calories, I hope you like it!
Vegan Malai Kofta (adapted from here)
INGREDIENTS (serves 4):
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 heaped tsp minced ginger
1 heaped tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
4 ripe tomatoes
5 tbsp almond meal + about 2 tbsp water
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup silken tofu + 1-2 tbsp water
1/2 tbsp garam masala
Fresh cilantro (around 1/2 cup chopped, or to taste)
8 falafel balls (I used Veggie Patch falafels I buy ready-made at the store. Otherwise you can use my recipe here)
1 cup basmati rice
2.5 cups water
2 pinches saffron
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oil in large pan. Add garlic and ginger, stirfry 2 mins. Add turmeric, cumin, coriander and chili powder. Stir 30 seconds.
2. Puree tomatoes in blender. Add to frying pan. Turn heat down and let it simmer for 30 minutes, until thick like a paste. In the meantime, add rice, water and saffron to a separate saucepan and let boil and cook.
3. Mix almond meal and water till it forms a paste. Add to tomato mixture, simmer 3-4 mins. Gradually add water until it forms the consistency of sauce you want (you might not need the full half cup). Then puree the tofu with water to form a paste and fold that in. Sprinkle in garam masala. Add in falafel balls.
4. Let simmer 5-6 minutes. Serve kofta over rice and sprinkle over cilantro.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving, if serves 4):
347 cals
10.6g fat
– 1.2g saturated fat
217mg sodium
55.5g carbs
– 5.8g fibre
10.8g protein
UPDATED TO ADD: I’ve linked this post up on Katie’s site as part of her new Marvellous in my Monday link party! Check it out…
June 4, 2012
Ali @ What Ali Did Next
I am absolutely making this. I adore Indian food. Perfect timing as I am doing my meal,planning right now.
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Yay! I hope you love it 🙂
June 4, 2012
Sam @ Fit for my Fork
I had never had Indian food until I moved to England, but I am obsessed with it now. We’re going out for a curry tonight and both of us have been looking forward to it all week! lol This looks amazing Anna. Sometimes dishes at the curry house aren’t particularly nice to look at (even though they taste good) but yours looks great!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Ooh Indian food is great in England, isn’t it? Because we have a fairly high immigrant population from India in Vancouver we often get great Indian food here too, if you go to the right places. Authentic Indian food is amazing. I think I read somewhere that the most popular “British” dish is curry, lol.
June 4, 2012
Tessa@AmazingAsset (@Tessa8m)
I do love Indian food but have never tried to make it myself! Something to do though, especially because this looks mighty tasty!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
It’s scary trying to make it yourself for the first time! The blog I adapted this from is run by an Indian lady who is amazing at cooking – I needed her as a guide for sure!
June 4, 2012
Meg
You have NO IDEA how excited I am to try this! 😀 Thanks girl!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Thanks Meg!
June 4, 2012
Sara @my less serious life
this looks great! i’ve never had this dish out at a restaurant, but i know i love indian food! you started a craving i think!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
It’s like whenever I see sushi splashed across the blog world, I just start craving it lol. Seriously good food is infectious that way!
June 4, 2012
Shira
This looks awesome Anna! Funny my last two posts were all Indian…and included Malai Kofta (a version of!) … this looks super!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Ooh I will have to check that out now, thanks for the heads-up Shira!
June 4, 2012
Katie Gagliano (@HealthyDiva31)
I love indian food and it has been TOO long!
I just love the roti too 😉
Happy Monday! <3
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Roti, naan, pappadums – they’re all completely addictive, just as much as the food itself! Thanks Katie x
June 4, 2012
Katie Gagliano (@HealthyDiva31)
Thank you for joining in!!!!! <3
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Thanks for hosting, lovely!
June 4, 2012
Jocelyn @ Peace.Love.Nutrition
I used to work at an Indian restaurant here in NYC- Tabla. We got to try all the foods and it was pretty amazing. I was addicted to these Cheese Kulcha (I called it a glorified grilled cheese) Such wonderful spices
xo
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Such great food – it is all about the spices, you’re right! Gosh I don’t know what I would do if I worked at an Indian restaurant – you’d be rolling me out every night lol!
June 4, 2012
Shannon - Healthiful Balance
I dont think I’ve ever had anything like this. It does look really good though, I’ll have to give it a try sometime! 🙂
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Definitely do, you’ll fall in love!
June 4, 2012
Amber with Slim Pickin's Kitchen
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I love indian food! We have a restaurant here that serves an Indian buffet and it is to.die.for!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Ooh yes, no Indian buffet is safe with me around haha!
June 4, 2012
Emily Butler
I’ve never had Indian food, oy. I might just have to cook it myself, starting with this recipe!
June 4, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
I hope you give it a try! Thanks Emily 🙂
June 4, 2012
ittybitsofbalance
Can you believe that I’ve NEVER had Indian? Will and I always say that we want to go, but just never seem to end up there and reach for Thai instead!
June 4, 2012
Katy
I love love love Indian food! It’s so rich and delicious. It does fill you up really fast though!
June 4, 2012
freshlifefindings
So I have never tried or made indian food but I want to! Your pictures make it look so good and all of the flavors together I’m sure make it delicious!
June 12, 2012
60spunk
Reblogged this on 60spunk.