Non-vegetarian●●●Origin AwadhPrep 1 hour, plus cooling timeCook 20 minutes
These spiced fish and potato patties are shaped into cylinders, coated in egg and crumbs or flour, and deep-fried until crisp and golden. They offer a savoury, mildly spiced flavour brightened by fresh coriander and lemon.
Kofte spices
4.9 gMixed into the mashed fish and potatoes (step 2)
Boil 1800 g potato in a large pot of water for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain, let cool until manageable, peel away the skins, and mash thoroughly.
Chop 800 g fish into roughly 8-cm chunks and mash firmly in a bowl using a potato masher. Combine the fish with the mashed potato, the kofte spices, and a pinch of salt, mixing thoroughly.
Warm about 14 g of the 40.5 g ghee or vegetable oil in a wide frying pan over medium-low heat. Tip in the fish and potato mixture and cook for several minutes, stirring constantly to dry out the excess moisture without scorching, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Heat the remaining ghee or vegetable oil in the pan over medium heat. Add 300 g chopped onion and fry for 5 to 7 minutes until richly browned.
Tip the browned onions into the fish mixture. Crack in 1 egg (from the 2 eggs), pour in 5.1 g lemon juice, and fold in 100 g chopped coriander leaf until evenly distributed. Moisten your hands with water and shape the mixture into sausage-shaped rolls roughly 8 cm long and 2 cm wide.
Whisk the remaining egg in a shallow dish and spread 2 tbsp rice flour or breadcrumbs onto a flat plate. Coat each roll first in the beaten egg, then roll through the flour or breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
Heat vegetable oil for deep-frying in a deep, sturdy pan to 180°C (350°F). Fry the kofte in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp and golden all over, then lift out with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels.
Use 50% of the weight and stir in near the end of cooking. Adds warmth and depth since it contains ground coriander, but introduces stronger spices like clove and cinnamon.
Use 80% of the weight, finely shredded and browned slowly with a pinch of asafoetida. Replicates the bulk and natural sweetness in gravies without allium.
For binding, use about 10 g chickpea flour mixed with 20 ml water per egg and rest for 10 minutes. Denser and nuttier; not suitable for baking or coating in the same way.