Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

There is something very satisfying and homely about meatball, be they Italian or Indian. This is my variation on the class koftas from Indian, combined with a silky, spicy tomato sauce that has the consistency of a thick soup.

Makes 16-20 golfball-sized koftas

For the koftas

300g lean minced beef
3 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed and finely chopped
2.5cm piece ginger, peeled and grated
1/2 onion, very finely chopped
2 tbsp medium-hot curry powder (I make my own blend, combining cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder, cloves and cinnamon, then store it, but you can use shop-bought)

1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves
1-2 tbsp plain flour
3 tbsp sunflower/vegetable oil

For the sauce

1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp curry powder (same used in the koftas)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp black pepper
150ml double cream

1. To make the koftas, first gently cook the onions, garlic and ginger in a little oil until soft, approx. 5-7 mins. Add the curry powder and stir for 1 min. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.

2. In a mixing bowl, use your hands to combine the beef with the onion/garlic/ginger/spice mixture, along with the fenugreek leaves. Really get stuck in!

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

3. Form into golfball-sized meatballs, then roll in flour.

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

4. Heat the oil to medium in a large frying pan. Brown the koftas all over, approx. 5 mins. Drain on kitchen paper and set aside.

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

5. Make the tomato sauce by putting all the ingredients in a saucepan and bringing to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 mins before adding the cream, then leave to cool, before using a stick blender to blitz the sauce so that it is silky smooth.

6. Transfer the meatballs to a shallow baking dish and pour the sauce all over.

7. Cover with tin foil and bake in an oven preheated to 180C/Gas 4, for 30-35 mins, then remove the foil for the last 5 mins until the sauce is bubbling and the koftas are cooked all the way through.

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

8. Serve with pilau rice. I bought a spice sachet for this from Diane @healthymealkitz and followed her instructions to the letter. It was superb.

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

Spicy Indian beef koftas baked in a silky tomato sauce, Lay The Table

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