INGREDIENTS for Meat
1.5 - 2 lbs lean ground chicken (preferably chicken breast)February 04, 2022
Chicken Meatball Curry (koftay)
YIELD: 25-30 meatballs TIME: 60 mins
Tested and tried this is a no-fail ground chicken meatball recipe. In urdu we call these "koftay".
1/4 yellow onion
1 jalapeno (seeded if you don’t like the heat)
handful fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp ginger paste
1/2 tsp garlic paste
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tbsp evoo
INGREDIENTS for Gravy
2 roma tomatoes (pureed)
1 large onion golden brown
1/2 tsp ginger paste
1/2 tsp garlic paste
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/2 - 3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup yogurt whipped
PREPARATION
STEP 1: Thinly slice onion and saute in 4-6 TBSP of oil of choice until golden brown.
STEP 2: Remove onions in a heat safe bowl to cool slightly.
STEP 3: Add onions and 2 tomatoes to chopper and puree until smooth. Put this back into the saute pan, rinse the chopper with water and add the water back into the saute pan.
STEP 4: Simmer onion tomato mixture on medium heat. While simmering, add in garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, corainder, cayenne and salt.
STEP 5: Let simmer on low to medium for 5-10 mins.
STEP 6: Now, lower the heat and add whipped yogurt and stir continuously so as not to allow the yogurt to separate. Keeping yogurt at room temp helps.
STEP 7: While the sauce is simmering and flavors melding, lets work on the meatballs.
STEP 8: Add the chopped onion, jalapeno and cilantro to chopper and grind away. you may have to scrape the edges a few times to get it going.
STEP 9: Put this mixture in a mixing bowl. To it, add the garlic, ginger, salt, cayenne, cumin, coriander, garam masala, bread crumbs and oil. Mix well with a fork until evenly combined.
STEP 10: Add in your ground chicken and mix well. I like to use my hands, but don't forget to wear gloves! Once combined, your mix is ready to be made into meatballs and dropped into the sauce.
STEP 11: To make the meatballs, grab a heap full and make into balls, rolling it around to make sure the meat is together and smooth as you can. Carefully drop the meatballs into the grave/sauce as you make them. You may have to shake the pan around softly to cook the meatballs through. Once all of the meatballs are in there, cover and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Then, uncover and cook on low until you have the sauce consistency you desire.
STEP 12: Serve with naan or over rice/grain of choice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and onions.
COOKING TIPS: Whip yogurt with a fork and keep at room temp before adding, this will prevent the yogurt from curdling.