Spinach and Cheese Kofta (Shaam Savera) Recipe

Chopped spinach and Ricotta Cheese balls in a buttery sauce

Finally, I am going to give you "our family" specialty. I have modified it a bit from my mother's recipe after coming to United States. It may seem familiar, but it is a very unique recipe. This basically involves Spinach and Cheese Kofta in a Makhni type sauce. There is no particular name for it. It is just a gift of my mother to us. Some of the restaurants now a days serve a similar dish called 'Shaam Savera'. 'Shaam' in Hindi means evening; while 'Savera' means morning.

Ingredients

Kofta

1. Ricotta Cheese: 1 Cup
2. Chopped Spinach (Drained): ¼ Cup
3. Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
4. Self-rising flour: ¼Cup

Makhni Gravy Sauce

1. Olive oil: ¼ Cup
2. Finely chopped Onion: ½ Cup
3. Mince Garlic: 1 Tablespoon
4. Ginger Chopped: 1 Inch
5. Yogurt: ¼ Cup
6. Butter: ¼ Cup
7. Tomato Puree: 1 Cup
8. Nutmeg powder: ¼ teaspoon
9. Cinnamon powder: ½ teaspoon
10. Cumin Powder: 1 Table spoon
11. Coriander powder: ½ Tablespoon
12. Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
13. Cayenne pepper: ¼ teaspoon
14. Paprika (Degi Mirch): ½ teaspoon
15. Heavy whipping cream: ½ Cup
16. Water: ½ Cup

Method

Step 1: Kofta

Whip Ricotta Cheese. Mix with chopped spinach and salt. Add flour 1 Table spoon at a time making it like a dough. If too sticky, add some more flour. Gather dough and cover it with plastic film for 30 minutes. Make about 1" balls. Turn on Deep fryer at 350º F. Deep fry balls till golden brown. It will take about 4 minutes per batch.

Step 2: Makhni Sauce

1. Add oil to pan and heat. Add Onions. Sauté till clear turning brown. Add garlic ginger. Sauté another 2 minutes.

2. Add yogurt. Continue sautéing till yogurt is almost consumed. Add butter. Heat till melted.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Turn heat down to simmer. You should have nice consistency sauce in about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Simmer / Rest

Put Kofta in. Simmer about 5 minutes. If sauce is getting too thick or Kofta are absorbing too much, just add some water. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.