This is one of the best recipes which my mother-in-law has taught me. All credit goes to her.

Preparation Time: 20 mins       Cooking Time: 45 mins           Serves: 2 people

Before we start making this recipe, I would like to explain a few things:

– This recipe would be made in two parts:

1. Making the patties (kofta)
2. Making the gravy

All you need:

1. FOR THE PATTIES (KOFTA)

• Gram Flour (Besan): 1/2 cup
• Onion: 1/4 cup (Finely Chopped)
• Green Chillies: 1- 2 (Finely Chopped)
• Carrom seeds (Ajwain): 1/2 tsp
• Oil: 2 tbsp (approx)
• Yogurt: 1 – 2 tsp
• Corriander leaves: 1 – 2 tsp (Finely Chopped)
• Ginger: 1″ piece (Finely Chopped)
• Oil: for frying

2. MAKING THE GRAVY

• Onion: 1 (Finely Chopped)
• Tomatoes: 2 (Finely Chopped)
• Ginger Paste: 1 tsp
• Garlic Paste: 1 tsp
• Green Chillies: 1 (Finely Chopped)
• Coriander Leaves: 1/4 cup (Finely Chopped)
• Dhaniya Powder: 1 1/2 tsp
• Red Chilly Powder: 1/4 tsp
• Salt: to taste
• Asafoetida (Hing): a pinch
• Turmeric Powder: 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds (Jeera): 1 tsp
• Carrom Seeds (Ajwain): 1/2 tsp
• Oil: 1 tbsp
• Garam Masala: 1/2 tsp
• Water: 1.5 – 2 cups

METHOD:

1. Preparing the patties (kofta)

• In a bowl, mix gram flour (besan), yogurt & 2 tbsp oil.
• Add onions, corriander leaves, ginger & green chillies.
• Using your hands, make a dough.
• Once the dough is ready, flatten it using a rolling pin. It should be atleast 1 inch thick.
• Cut it into small pieces.
• Take oil in a frying pan to deep fry these pieces. Heat the oil on medium heat.
• Once oil is hot, fry the patties until they turn golden brown.
• After frying the patties, take them out on a paper towel so that all the excess oil is absorbed.

2. Now, preparing the gravy.

• In a pressure cooker, add some oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds & carrom seeds. Saute for a minute.
• Add onions and saute until soft. Do not let the onions turn too brown.
• Add green chillies, ginger paste & garlic paste. Saute.
• Add tomatoes and saute for a minute. Cover the cooker for sometime. (DO NOT CLOSE THE LID)
• Add very little salt. Mix.
• Add some water and close the lid. Switch off the stove after 2 – 3 whistles.
• Once all the pressure is released. open the cooker and switch on the stove at medium heat.
• Add turmeric powder (haldi), dhaniya powder, salt & red chilly powder. Mix well.
• Add water depending upon your preference of thickness of the gravy.
• Add the patties & corriander leaves. Stir. Cover and cook for 5 mins.
• Keep stirring between intervals.
• After 5 mins, add garam masala. cook for only 1 minute.

Shahi Besan is ready. Serve hot with chapatti.