Enchor Kofta (Bengali Jackfruit Kofta Curry)

BM# 63: Journey through the Cuisines 
Week 1: Bengali Cuisine
Day 5: Enchor Kofta (Bengali Jackfruit Kofta Curry)
I should first say a big thanks to Sandeepa of Bongmom Cookbook for all her amazing Bengali recipes. It was a breeze picking my dishes for letters A~H because of her blog. I already made Aam Doi, Charchari and Doi Dharosh from her blog. Today's dish Enchor Kofta or jacfruit kofta curry recipe is also from her blog.

I've had a few mishaps making koftas in the past, so I'm usually wary about trying any new recipe. But Sandeepa's recipe looked doable, I took the plunge and made them following her recipe. The koftas were probably the best I've ever made.

Koftas are made with jackfruit and potatoes. It is hard to tell that the koftas have jackfruit from the taste and texture, but they sure taste delicious. Canned jackfruit comes in very handy here, no peeling or cleaning required, just drain, rinse and you are good to go.

Gravy is quite simple with tomato base and thickened slightly with cashew or almond butter (or ground cashews/ almonds) and a splash of heavy cream, if you feel a little indulgent. Koftas can be prepped and refrigerated the day before and can be fried just before serving. This kofta curry can be served with naan or roti or pulao. I made Bengali Mishti Pualo with vegetables to serve with the curry.

Recipe from Sandeepa's Bongmom Cookbook:

Enchor Kofta

Ingredients:

For the Koftas:
• 1 can Green Jackfruit, drained and rinsed well
• 2 Medium Potatoes
• 1 Medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 Green Chilies, finely chopped
• 1tsp Ginger+garlic paste
• ½tsp Red Chili powder
• ½tsp Garam Masala
• To Taste Salt
For the Gravy:
• 1 Medium Onion, coarsely chopped
• 1tbsp Tomato paste
• 1cup Tomato puree
• 1tbsp Cashew or Almond butter (or soak 1tbsp almonds or cashews in warm water, then grind them to a smooth paste)
• ½tsp Ground Coriander
• ½tsp Ground Cumin
• 1tsp Red Chili powder (adjust as per taste)
• ½tsp Garam Masala
• 1 Bay leaf
• 2 Cardamom pods
• 1" piece Ginger, finely grated
• To Taste Salt
• 1~2tbsp Cream (optional)

Method:

1. Make Kofta: Pressure cook jackfruit and potato until tender, about 3~4 whistles. Let the pressure come down, then drain the excess water from the veggies and mash them well with a potato masher or simple blend it in the blender.
2. Heat 2tsp oil in a nonstick pan, add the finely chopped onion, green chili and cook till the onion turns lightly browned around the edges.
3. Next add the ginger+garlic paste, red chili powder and cook for 1 minutes.
4. Add the mashed potato~jackfruit mixture and season with salt and garam masala.
5. Cook for 5~7 minutes until the mixture becomes dry and starts to pull away from the pan. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
6. Once cool, divide the mixture into equal size balls.
7. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the koftas on medium heat until nicely browned all over. Remove onto a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
8. Make the Gravy: Heat 2tsp oil in a pan, add the onion and cook till lightly browned around the edges. Take off the heat and let cool, then grind to a paste.
9. Heat 2tbsp oil in a pan. Add the bay leaf, cardamom, grated ginger and cook till fragrant, about 30seconds to a minute.
10. Add the onion paste and cook for 2~3 minutes.
11. Next add the tomato puree, tomato paste and cashew (or almond) butter. Cook till the oil starts to separate around the edges, about 4~5 minutes.
12. Add the red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and turmeric cook for a minute.
13. Next add enough water to get to desired consistency and let the gravy come to a boil. Season with salt and sugar (if using). Finally add the cream and cook for 1~2 minutes.
14. To Serve: Place the gravy in a serving bowl and add the koftas to it. Serve with roti or rice. I served this with some Bengali Vegetable Pulao.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 63

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