Kacha Kola'r Kofta

(Green Banana Balls in Curry)

Servings - 4-5 persons

Ingredients:

For Kofta:

Kacha Kola/Green Banana - 600 g

Alu/Potatoes - 100 g ( 1 medium)

Onion - 50 g, chopped

Ginger - 1 tsp cut into juliennes

Green Chillies - 2-3, chopped

Turmeric powder - pinch

Salt - as indicated

For Batter:

Egg - 1

Maida/Flour  - 2 tbsp, heaped

Baking powder - 1/8 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp (optional)

Oil - as indicated

For Gravy:

Onion - 100-125 g, chopped

Ginger - 1 tbsp, grated

Garlic - 1/2 tbsp, grated

Tomato - 100 g , chopped

Bay leaves - 1

Garam masala powder - 1/4 tsp

Green Cardamom - 2, coarsely crushed

Cinnamon - 1 inch, coarsely crushed

Cloves - 4, coarsely crushed

Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Salt - To taste

Ghee - 1 tsp

Make a paste of the following in 4 tbsp water:

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Dhaniya/Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Cooking procedure:

Kofta:

1. Peel kacha kola/green banana and immediately immerse in a container containing water with a pinch of turmeric (to avoid blackening).

2. Boil kancha kola and potato till done. Drain water completely and mash together to smoothness.

3. In a kadhai heat 2 tbsp oil. Add onions and ginger and fry for 2-3 minutes till onions are soft. Add mashed kacha kola + potato, chopped green chillies and salt to taste. Fry on medium low heat for 5 minutes. Stir to avoid the mix sticking to the bottom. Remove and let cool.

4. Mould the mix into 17-18 balls.

5. Prepare the batter: Make a smooth mix of all the ingredients listed under "for batter" with 4 tbsp water.

6. Heat 1 cup oil (for deep frying). This oil may be reused for cooking so do not discard.

7. Dip the balls in the mix and fry till golden brown (as shown)

Gravy:

1. Heat 4 tbsp oil. Add coarsely crushed cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaf. Let splutter.

2. Add onions, ginger and garlic and fry on medium heat for 3 minutes.

3. Add turmeric, chilli powder, and coriander powder paste and fry for 2-3 minutes till oil separates.

4. Add tomato and fry for 2-3 minutes.

5. Add 2 cups water, salt, sugar and let come to boil. Boil for 4-5 minutes.

6. Add koftas/balls and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes.

7. Add ghee and garam masala powder and remove from heat.

The koftas absorb a lot of gravy so 2 cups of water are required to factor this in.

Serving Suggestions: