DUSK-DAWN Dumplings !! 😀

Nothing serious, thought of translating the famous “Sanjeev kapoor’s” recipe in English.. Sham -Savera kofta is not only delicious but also a healthy entree for all. It does need some of your efforts but the result is much appealing to the eyes and appetite !! Also I have added an ingredient to enhance its health character. It can be served with the choice of your Naan, Kulcha or Rumali roti.

INGREDIENTS:
For Dumplings (kofta) :
1. Fresh Spinach leaves (palak) – 1 pack
2. Fresh Cilantro/Coriander leaves(dhaniya) – ¹⁄₂ pack
3. Cottage cheese (Paneer) grated and mashed- ¹⁄₂ pack or 65 gms
4. Cooking Oil – 2 tbsp
5. Garlic cloves finely chopped(lehsun)- 6-7
6. Cumin seeds/powder (jeera) – 1 tsp
7. Green chillies finely chopped (hari mirch) – 3-4
8. salt – 1 tsp or to taste
9. Turmeric (haldi)- ¹⁄₄ tsp
10. Green Cardamom powder(choti elaichi) – ¹⁄₂ tsp
11. Chickpea Flour ( Besan) – 4 tbsp
12. Corn Starch – ¹⁄₄ cup (optional)
For Gravy:
1. Oil – 2 tbsp
2. Butter – ¹⁄₂ cup
3. Green Cardamom (Chhoti Elaichi)Chopped and crushed- 8
4. Mace(javitri)/Nutmeg Powder(Jaiphal) -¹⁄₂ blade/ a pinch
5. Dry Fenugreek powder( Kasoori methi)Roasted – 2 tbsp
6. Tomatoes (red and ripe) – 12 big
7. Salt – 2 tsp or to taste
8. Red Kashmiri chilli powder/ Deggi mirch Powder – 2 ¹⁄₂ tsp
9. Garlic cloves chopped – 5-6
10. Ginger(adrak) finely chopped or dry ginger powder(soonth) – 1 tsp
11. Honey – 3 tbsp
12. Heavy whipping cream/ fresh malai – 6 + 2 tbsp(for garnishing)

METHOD:
| Preparation time: 25 mins| Cooking time : 20 mins | Serves 3-4 persons at a time|

For Kofta:
1. Boil the spinach and coriander leaves (cilantro) together in an open pan. If you wish you may add Kale leaves with Spinach too. Boil till 3-4 mins or till they are mushy.

1. Once they are cooked well , wash them under cold water or dip them in cold water bath for 2 mins. Squeeze the water from them and chop these leaves finely.
   

2. Now heat oil in a non-stick pan and add jeera to it. Let it sputter, now add the garlic paste, green chillies and saute them for a minute.

3. Meanwhile grate or mash the paneer and add cardamom powder to it. Shape it in small eight to ten round balls.
   

4. In the pan now add the besan(chickpeas flour) and turmeric and saute them on medium heat.
   

5. Add the leaves and saute them till the mixture is dry and the leaves are coated with masala(spices).
   

6. See steps 11 to 13 for making koftas.

For Gravy:
8. Take another wok and heat oil in it.Add the ginger and garlic to it and saute well.

1. Next goes in the pureed tomatoes. Stir them well. Then add the spices viz. salt, mace, green cardamom, Kashmiri red chilli powder and dry ginger powder to it.
   

2. While this gravy is cooking , roast the kasoori methi(dried fenugreek powder) on a tawa or in microwave. Then add it to the gravy and simmer the heat.
   

3. Meanwhile, pick the cooled leaves mixture and flatten them on your palm. Now place a ball of paneer in the center and close it from all sides with the leafy mix. Roll it in corn starch and keep aside. Similarly prepare all the stuffed dumplings (koftas).
   

4. Take another wok and add almost 1.5 cups oil to it . Heat it on high and then lower the heat.
   

5. Now deep fry the kofta formed in step 11 till they are golden brown on all sides. Turn them in between for even cooking. This will take about 8-10 mins. Drain them on a paper towel lined plate with a slotted spoon.

6. In the gravy ,add the butter and stir well.Butter is not added with oil to prevent polymerization of long hydrocarbons chains ,which becomes unsaturated fat. Add the honey and cream and stir well. Save some cream for garnishing later on. Cook this gravy maximum for 2 mins after adding cream.
   

The above and below pics show the difference before and after adding cream to the gravy.

1. Turn off the heat now. While serving pour the gravy in a bowl and place the halved kofte in it and garnish with some cream and serve hot.

This is a creamy ,rich entree which would be loved by those who don’t like to have leaves. So prepare for your guests or surprise your would-be with this delicious recipe.

Till then keep writing to us!! Happy cooking !! 😀