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| L: Qamar Milak R: her kofta curry |
This is a delicious Pakistani curry. which appeared in the Australian Women's Weekly in 1973 (50 years later the page is rather tattered!). This was one a number of dishes prepared by Qamar Milak (wife of the then Trade Commissioner for Pakistan which is quite incidental). It was part of a two page spread on curries (unfortunately the second page disappeared somewhere along the line) which I suspect was all about promoting true curries into Australian kitchens. This one is a real favourite of mine and Lindsay's and one we have been cooking together for almost 40 years. It is very fragrant and full of delicious, almost delicate flavours. You can make it as hot as you like but we tend to the warm and spicy. Highly recommended!
Ingredients
Meatballs
450 gm minced steak*
1½ Tbsp dry bread crumbs
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp finely chopped mint
2 Tbsp yoghurt
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 onion
Sauce
2 onions
3 cloves of garlic
2.5 cm piece of ginger
2 Tbsp yoghurt
1 tsp salt
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp turmeric
2 tsp ground coriander
¼ ground cloves
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ cup water
oil for frying
Method
Meatballs:
Grate or blitz onion. Combine all ingredients, mix together well for 5 mins so that mixture is well blended. If you like it hot, add 1 finely chopped green chili.
Shape into small balls (2-3 cm).
Sauce:
Cut peeled onion into quarters. Put in blender with peeled garlic and peeled sliced ginger. Blend until fine (or grate or chop finely). Heat oil in pan, add onion mixture, cook until golden. Add yoghurt, stir well, cook 2 mins. Add salt, chili powder, turmeric, coriander, cloves and cinnamon. Cook over gentle heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture is almost dry.
Add the water and, while water is still cold, add meatballs. Shake pan gently to splash spices and liquid over the top of meatballs. Cook, covered, 30 mins or until meatballs are cooked through.
Serves 4.
Chook’s note: * I use beef or lamb mince.
The sauce can be used with other meats or fish or vegetabese. And the meat balls make yummy snacks on their own. Just forget the sauce and bake in the oven!
