Pakistan – Punjabi Beef Kofta

By Dahiza Umar

What is kofta?

Kofta is a Pakistani style meat balls which is served with gravy or traditional curry. Kofta is actually spiced mince that shaped into small balls. Any meat either lamb beef or chicken is spiced up with some local flavors and ingredients. Some people also make kofta of lentils and also with vegetables.

Origin of kofta

Kofta is a dish of ASIAN cuisine, especially INDIA and PAKISTAN. The word ‘’kofta’’ comes form the Persian word means to ‘’ to grind’’. but it doesn’t mean the it a Persian dish it is pure Asian cuisine

Kofta in Pakistan

In Pakistan like any other meal, kofta is made another week. It is cooked in every home on EID UL AZHA, an Islamic occasion where lambs and cows are sacrificed. Some people make kofta in thick curry and some made in thin consistency of gravy. It is served with naan, chapati and also with simple zeera(cumin) rice or boiled rice, choice is yours. There are also another form of kofta in Pakistan known as NARGISI KOFTA, in which hard boil egg is covered with spiced mince and put into gravy. Here is the nargisi kofta picture.

INGREEDIENTS

FOR KOFTA

• Lamb/ beef mince 1 kilogram
• Chopped onion 1 large
• Green chilies chopped 2 tbsp
• Salt 1 tbsp
• Red chili flakes 1 tbsp
• Ginger paste 1 tsp
• Garlic paste 1 tsp
• Fried onion crushed 4 tbsp
• Chickpea flour 4 tbsp

FOR GRAVY

• Oil 1 cup
• Onion 1 large
• Garlic paste 1 tbsp
• Ginger paste 1 tbsp
• Salt 1 tsp
• Red chili powder 1 tsp
• Coriander powder 1 tsp
• Cumin powder 1 tsp
• Tomato 1 large
• Yogurt 4 tbsp
• Fresh coriander 3 to 4 tbsp
• Fresh mint 2 to 3 tbsp
• Green chili 2

METHOD

• To make kofta balls, we have to take fine mince with 20% fat and add chopped onions, garlic, ginger and all kofta spices.
• Blend into chopper so the all ingredients mixed very well.
• Now turn the mince into small balls.
• Half fry the balls into small amount of oil just saute the balls for 5 minutes and set aside.
• For gravy, add oil and onion into it fry for a while just to translucent the onion, than add garlic ginger paste.
• Saute all things together and add about 2 glasses of water.
• Now add tomato and all spices into gravy and let it cook for 15 minutes.
• When water dried, add yogurt into gravy and fired meat balls.
• Let it cook on slow flame for 10 minutes. Than add about 1 cup of water to make the thick consistency.
• Add green chilies, fresh coriander and mint leaves on top and serve.
• Enjoy

NOTE

Preparation time : 1 hour
Serving : 4 person

NUTRITIONAL VALUES

One serving of kofta contains

• Calories 250
• Protein 25 grams
• Fats 20 grams
• Carbohydrates 5 grams

I hope you enjoy the recipe

Thank you!