ooo la la…I’m just loving this creation. This dish is in between a biryani and a moist rice dish. In this dish we have some deep fried potato, sweet golden brown onions, lentils and the star of the dish…The chickpea kofta’s…all beautifully spiced into one big bowl of deliciousness. The chickpea kofta’s do tend to get a bit dry therefore I added a full can of chopped tomatoes. This meal is perfect with loads of raita.
Preparation: 30 minutes Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Baking: 25-30 minutes (pre-heat oven 180C Serves: 4
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 ½ cups (375ml) brown basmati rice boiled until soft but still firm. Once cooked strain and keep aside
½ cup (125ml) big masoor dhal boiled until soft but still firm, when cooked strain and keep aside.
Chickpea koftas (makes 15)
- 1 ¼ cups whole white chickpeas soaked in water over night – strain excess water and grind in a food processor until fine.
- 2 tsp (10ml) coriander powder
- 1 tsp (5ml) cumin powder
- ½ – 1 tsp (2.5 – 5ml) chilli flakes
- 1 tsp (5ml) salt
- 2 tbsp (30ml) finely chopped coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp (30ml finely chopped flat parsley leaves
- Oil for deep
This is how:
- mix all the ingredients in a bowl accept for the oil. Take small amounts with your hands and form small balls.
- Heat oil in a heavy based pot. The oil should be moderately hot. Deep fry chickpea balls for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Strain on a paper towel and keep aside.
2 Large potatoes – washed, peeled and cut in 4 pieces each
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Oil for deep frying
- Place potatoes in a bowl with turmeric powder and salt. Give it a good mix. Deep fry and keep aside.
- 1 medium onion finely sliced – deep fry – strain on a paper towel and keep aside
- 2 tbsp (30ml) finely slice ginger – deep fry – keep aside
- 2 tsp oil
- ½ tsp (2.5ml) yellow asafoetida
- 2 tsp garlic & ginger paste
- 1 tbsp (15ml) coriander powder
- ½ tbsp (7.5ml) cumin powder
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp (5ml salt) adjust accordingly
- 3 tbsp (45ml) Vegan ghee or refined coconut oil
Let’s cook: heat the oil in pot. Add the asafoetida, garlic & ginger paste – sauté for a few seconds and then toss in the coriander and cumin powder – give it a mix, then add the tomatoes and salt. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until tomatoes are cooked through. Once cooked, turn of the heat and spoon in the ghee or coconut oil. Toss in the chickpea koftas and gently mix.
Mix the rice and masoor dhal together
In an oven proof dish – add half of the rice mixture, some fried onions and half the tomato and kofta mixture. With a fork gently mix the ingredients together. Add the balance of the mixtures with the potatoes and ginger, gently mix all the ingredients. Cover with a piece of foil and bake for 25 – 30 minutes.
Garnish with coriander leaves and Serve with plenty cucumber raita and salad of your choice.
Dairy Free Raitha (vegan)
Preparation: 10 -15 minutes Serve: 2-3
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250ml) raw cashew nuts
- 1 cup (250ml) cold water
- 1 large lemon
- 1 tbsp (15ml) apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt (adjust accordingly)
- 1 tsp (5ml) cumin seeds
- 1 – 2 green or red chillies (adjust according to heat tolerance)
- ¼ cup (60ml) finely chopped fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup (60ml) finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
- ½ cup (125ml) finely diced cucumber
This is how 😊
- In a blender – toss in the nuts along with the water. Blend until nice and smooth. Pour into a serving bowl, now freshly squeeze the juice of the lemon into the mixture.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and salt, give this a nice good stir. While this is resting, heat a non-stick pan and roast the cumin seeds until the seeds are aromatically fragrant. Grind the roasted seeds in a spice grinder, then toss into the cashew nut mixture.
- Use the spice grinder to chopped up the chillies, mint and coriander leaves or just give it a good chop with a knife – toss along with other ingredients.
- Add the diced cucumber – give this a nice good stir and Voila!!!!
- Best served with Vegetable biryanis, pulau’s or as a side dip
some pics of the process
- Soaked Big masoor dhal
2. Potatoes, turmeric & salt
3. ground chickpeas with spices
4. Deep fried potatoes, chickpea kofta’s, and fried onions
