Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Spinach, Artichoke and Mozzarella Koftas -Greens Bloghop

03 | 03 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

For our Greens Bloghop, I thought of taking something very traditional and giving it a little makeover by using some unique ingredients not that commonly used in Indian cooking.Koftas (meaning meatballs)came to mind, a dish that has so many variations in so many different countries.Originated in Persia, Koftas were originally made of minced lamb or beef, but gradually starting gaining popularity in other countries all across the Middle East,Africa, Asia and Europe.In India Koftas made way into both vegetarian and non-vegetarian households with many versions that have became equally popular.The vegetarian koftas are usually made of Paneer,Potato,Lauki(Bottle gourd-from the squash family),Cabbage,Jackfruit etc..but I’ve come up with a fusion dish that will transport you into the exotic culinary world of rich, saporous food from the East!

Smooth and luscious, these koftas are a pure delight and will have you craving for more and more!I made my Koftas using Spinach, Mozzarella and Artichoke.We all know that spinach,artichoke and cheese complement each other very well, so when I thought of spinach for the koftas the other two almost naturally followed.These are served in a mildly spiced, slightly sweet and creamy tomato gravy!Best part is, they’re easy to make and great for entertaining since you can make them ahead of time and just heat them up when its time to serve.


You prepare the balls and gravy separately and plate them together at the last minute.Traditionally Indian koftas are made using ghee, butter and cream.I’ve made them skinny by using Greek Yoghurt and a tbsp of butter at the end to finish off the dish.Good and good for you~

Indian Spinach,Artichoke & Mozzarella Koftas

Print this Recipe

Ingredients:

For the koftas:
1 standard size pack of frozen spinach or 2 packs of fresh spinach(I’ve used frozen spinach here)-makes about 10-11 koftas
1 medium sized ball of fresh mozzarella cheese-grated
Small jar of Artichokes(6oz)-crushed by hand
Ginger-1/2 inch crushed
Besan or chickpea flour-1 tbsp (you could also substitute cornstarch)
Ground Cumin-1 tsp
Ground Coriander-1 tsp
Salt-1/2 tsp
Cornstarch for rolling
Oil- for frying

For the tomato gravy:
Fresh tomato puree or Canned crushed tomato -2 cups
Cardamom (whole)-2
Cloves-2
Ginger Garlic paste-1 tbsp
Ground Cumin-1 tsp
Ground Coriander-1 tsp
Garam Masala-1 tsp
Red Chilli powder-1 tsp or to your taste
Kasoori methi-1 tsp crushed by hand (easily available at Indian grocer’s)
Honey or sugar-1 tbsp
Water-1 cup
Salt-to taste
Oil-2 tbsp
Butter-1 tbsp
Greek Yoghurt-1 tbsp

Process:
Koftas

  • Boil the fresh spinach for about 2 mins and drain.Squeeze out all the liquid once its cool.If using frozen, microwave the spinach for about 2 mins and squeeze out any liquid.
  • Grate the mozzarella. 
  • Squeeze the liquid out from the artichoke and crush them roughly with your hands.
In a deep vessel mix all the kofta ingredients except oil and cornstarch.Take a small amount into your hands and roll them into balls.Roll these into the cornstarch and either deep fry or shallow fry on medium high till they are golden.

Tomato Gravy
In a separate skillet, heat oil and add the Cardamom and Cloves.Add the ginger garlic paste and stir for a minute.Add the tomato puree and the spices.Add some salt and cook on medium high until you see oil around the edges (About 5-6 minutes).Discard the cardamom and cloves now.Add the honey or sugar.Add some water and bring to a boil.Reduce and cook until it reaches a nice consistency and add the butter.Mix and turn off the heat.Add the kasoori methi.Move the pan away from the burner and add the greek yoghurt.Mix gently.Your gravy is ready.
Keep them separately until ready to serve.If you mix them the koftas might break apart.When ready to serve, arrange the koftas on top of the gravy or mix it gently into the gravy and serve hot with Naans,Pitas, Rotis or even rice!Enjoy!

 


Please join in the Greenslove fun by linking any leafy green recipe from the month of March.I’m co-hosting this bloghop with these amazing blogger friends.Please visit their gorgeous creations while you’re here!

Al Dente Gourmet ~ Aldy ~ @AlDenteGourmet
ASTIG Vegan ~ Richgail ~  @astigvegan
Badger Girl Learns to Cook ~ Kimberly ~ @BdgrGrl
Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves ~ Becky Higgins
BigFatBaker ~ Erin ~ @BigFatBaker
Bon a croquer ~ Valerie ~ @Valouth
CafeTerraBlog ~ Terra ~ @CafeTerraBlog
Cake Duchess ~ Lora ~ @cakeduchess
Cheap Ethnic Eatz ~ Evelyne ~ @cethniceatz
Easily Good Eats ~ Three Cookies
Georgiecakes ~ Georgie ~ @georgiecakes
Kitchen Belleicious ~ Jessica ~ @kbelleicious
Mis Pensamientos ~ Junia ~ @juniakk
My Twisted Recipe ~ Dudot ~ @mytwistedrecipe  
No One Likes Crumbley Cookies ~ TR ~ @TRCrumbley
Oh Cake ~ Jessica ~ @jesshose
Queen’s Notebook ~ Elizabeth ~ @Mango_Queen  
Rico sin Azucar ~ Helena ~ @ricosinazucar
Savoring Every Bite ~ Linda ~ @Spicegirlfla
Simply Reem ~ Reem ~ @simplyreem
Soni’s Food for Thought ~ Soni ~ @sonisfood 
Sprint 2 the Table ~ Laura ~ @Sprint2theTable
Teaspoon of Spice ~ Deanna ~ @tspbasil 
That Skinny Chick Can Bake ~ Liz ~ @Thatskinnychick
The Art of Cooking Real Food ~ Laura ~@TAofCRF
The Spicy RD ~ EA ~ @thespicyrd 
The Wimpy Vegetarian ~ Susan ~ @wimpyvegetarian
Vegan Yack Attack! ~ Jackie ~ @veganyackattack
Vegetarian Mamma  ~ Cindy ~ @VegetarianMamma

Also linking this entry to #Indianfoodpalooza a wonderful celebration of Indian Food hosted by Indian Simmer,Creative Culinary and The Colors of Indian Cooking !!!Please join in the fun event if you have made and posted an Indian dish from 1st-31st of March.There are prizes to be won!!


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Comments

  13. Terra says

    They look delicious! I have never had a Koftas, but I love how you changed up the traditional recipe:-) Happy GreensLove! Hugs, Terra

  18. Valerie says

    This recipe looks soo good! I didn’t know it before, but I’d love to try it out, if I do, I’ll let you know how it turned out 😉

  20. Cheap Ethnic Eatz says

    I am such a fan of Indian food so this is very appetizing! The presentation is gorgeous. I like the artichoke in there, gives a lot of flavor. Beautiful creation for greenslove.

  21. Soni says

    Thanks Dudut ,Richgail and Jackie!!Richgai,its just like making any meatball!The gravy is also pretty easy to make.Jackie,glad this recipe inspired you to make Indian :

  22. Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack! says

    I really love Indian food, and this looks incredible. I feel like I don’t make hardly any Indian recipes at home, but I’d love to change that with this one! Great job, sending #greenslove your way!

  23. Richgail says

    Wonderful presentation, I’m very intrigued. I’m a lil scared though, it seems very delicate to make 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. Happy #greenslove

  24. dudut says

    i have always heard of koftas but it’s just now that i knew what it is…ahahaha!

    this is a perfect way to raplace the meat balls i am usually used to, perfect for the coming Holy Week here in Manila where we abstain from eating meat 🙂

    thanks for sharing your creation, Soni!

  25. Soni says

    Thanks Becky and Bal for the lovely comments.Yeah the combo works perfectly!

  27. Becky says

    Soni,
    Your spinach, artichoke and cheese kaftas are healthy appetizers and perfect for #greenslove. I like all of the spices used in the dish. Sending#greenslove your way!

  29. maha says

    looking really nice and yumm too.book marked……..Maha
    awesoem recipe.loved it……….

  31. ea-The Spicy RD says

    I love this recipe and combination of flavors! You are so right that spinach, artichoke, and cheese are fabulous partners 🙂 These are definitely going on my #greenslove list to make!

  36. Junia says

    Soni, I love how this is a veggie meatball hehe. Spinach and artichokes go so well together too! Glad you are hosting with us! 🙂

  37. Lizzy says

    What gorgeous koftas…and from the list of ingredients, I know I’d love them! Wonderful co-hosting #greenslove with you, Soni!

  38. The Wimpy Vegetarian says

    Soni, these koftas look like the perfect dinner. I really love them – am planning to make them for dinner one night this week for sure. Just love, love, love how they sound!!!

  39. mjskit says

    Your koftas look amazing! I would eat one of these without any sauce although your sauce…I can smell the seasonings! What a tasty, tasty sauce! Perfect meals! Thanks to you and all of the other co-host for hosting this fun blog hop!

  41. Cake says

    Oh my goodness I can almost smell the spices coming off of these! I love kofta, love saag (especially saag paneer) and I love Indian spices. I will definitely have to try this recipe!

  48. Georgie says

    Soni, these are dee-lii-cioius! I can’t wait to try them, they are my kind of food. So creative and thanks for sharing.

  50. Soni says

    Thankyou Kit,Suchi and Laura!Laura, Tofu would be a great alternative to the cheese for a vegan version!

  51. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    I love anything Indian-falavored and I cannot wait to try these! I would love to make them vegan and use a tofu mix in place of the mozzarella… do you think that would work?

    Much #greenslove to you!

  53. Kit @ i-lostinausten says

    We love spinach & these Spanish Koftas looks great! Healthy combinations & can go with paste or rice. My boys will love these! Thanks for sharing! Have a nice weekend! 🙂