How to cook… Mughlai Malai Kofta

Serves 4 as a main dish

Mughlai Malai Kofta (Spiced Lamb Meatballs in a Creamy Sauce) is a North Indian dish from the Moghul-era. Nicely spiced and meaty, these Indian meatballs are delicious in this creamy, fragrant sauce. Take care not to break up the koftas during the cooking process so spoon the sauce over them rather than stirring them.

What you need…
• 800g lamb mince
• 4 Teaspoon ghee
• a few coriander leaves (for garnish)

Kofta Mix
• small handful coriander leaves, very finely chopped
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 2 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

For the sauce
• 2 teaspoon garlic paste
• small piece of ginger, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon ginger paste)
• 200g Base Curry Sauce
• 150g yoghurt
• 150ml cream

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 0.5 turmeric powder

How to make it…
1. Mix the lamb and the Kofta Mix well (it’s best to use your hands). Form into 16–20 meatballs.
2. Heat 1 Teaspoon ghee to a medium heat. While it is heating add enough water to the Spice Mix to form a sloppy paste.
3. Add the meatballs to the pan until all of them are sealed and slightly browned. This should take about 5 minutes. Be very careful when turning them or they will break down. Depending on the size of your pan you may have to do this in batches. Set the meatballs aside.
4. Heat the rest of the oil to a medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger paste and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add the Spice Mix and stir fry for 2 minutes.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook for 20 minutes, turning the meatballs occasional. Again, be very careful when turning them. Add a little water if necessary.
8. Add in the yoghurt and cream, mix well and cook for 2 minutes more.
9. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
Making sure your form the meatballs correctly is a crucial part of this dish and ensures they stay intact during the cooking process. Don’t rush it and get your hands well into the mixture.
Mughlai Malai Kofta is a rich, meaty dish from the Moghul-era.

If you like this you should try our…
Sag Paneer • Chilli Paneer • Butter Chicken • Butter Paneer • Prawn Korma • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Chicken Dopiaza

Where does lamb go to dance? … The meatball.

How to cook… Aloo Muttar

Serves 4 as a side dish

Potato is the all-time favourite for side dishes and the colour and pop-in-the-mouth of peas makes them perfect partners in Aloo Muttar. It’s very simple to make with cooked potato pieces added to some Base Curry Sauce and spices and finished off with a decent cup of peas.

What you need…
• 400g potato, cut into 5cm chunks
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 200g peas (fresh or frozen)
• 160g Base Curry Sauce
• salt, to taste
• few coriander leaves to garnish (optional)

Spice Mix
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala

How to make it…
1. Peel the potatoes, cut into 5cm chunks and boil until cooked. While they are cooking mix the Spice Mix with enough water to form a sloppy paste.
2. Heat the ghee to a medium heat. Add the garlic paste and ginger paste and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the Spice Mix paste and cook for 2 minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
4. Add the Base Curry Sauce and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add the peas and cook for 3 minutes.
6. Add the salt and potatoes, mix carefully so as not to break the potatoes, and cook until heated through.
7. Serve, with (optional) coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
This recipe will create a dryish dish but if you like more sauce with your potatoes simply add more Base Curry Sauce.
Aloo Muttar, a simple but delicious combination of potato and peas.

If you like this you should try our…
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What’s a pea’s favourite song? … Nothing Else Muttars.

How to cook… Butter Paneer

Serves 4 as a main dish

Paneer works excellently with this creamy, buttery and super moreish sauce. Fry the paneer chunks first so they are crispy on the outside and enjoy the rich sauce. The dish will be much better if you make your own paneer.

What you need…
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 800g paneer, cubed
• 150g unsalted butter
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• salt to taste
• 6 fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, if you like it sweet)
• 150ml cream
• coriander leaves for garnish

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder

How to make it…
1. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in pan to a low-medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and fry until they brown. This should take about 3–4 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Heat 100g of the butter on a low-medium heat until melted, add the onion and cook until it starts to brown (about 4–5 minutes).
3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add in the Spice Mix, salt and the chillies, stir well and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add 250ml water and cook for a further 2–3 minutes.
6. Transfer the ingredients to a blender (or use a hand blender) until smooth.
7. Return to pan and reheat for a couple of minutes. You can now add in the optional sugar.
8. Add the paneer, cream, the other 50g of butter and and cook on a low-medium heat until everything is warmed through.
9. Serve garnished with the coriander leaves. The dish also looks good with a small swirl of cream and/or tiny knob of butter in the middle of the dish (it will melt quickly).

CHEF’S TIP
When you remove the paneer chunks and move on to stage 2 you do not need wipe out the remaining ghee. It’ll stop the butter burning and what’s a bit more oil between friends when it comes to such a rich dish?
The crispy paneer chunks are excellently complimented by the creamy sauce.

If you like this you should try our…
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What cheese do cyclists take on holiday? … A paneer.

How to cook… Muttar Paneer

Serves 4 as a side dish

Crispy cheese, a creamy sauce and peas for colour and that ‘pop’ in the mouth, makes Muttar Paneer a favourite Indian side dish. The optional chilli can provide an extra kick and a splash of colour. For that extra special touch you can make your own paneer.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 400g paneer, cut into chunks about 2–3 cm square
• 0.5 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh garlic (or garlic paste)
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger (or ginger paste)
• 120g Base Curry Sauce
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• small handful coriander leaves, chopped
• 200g peas (frozen are good)
• 100ml double cream

Spice Mix
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp coriander powder

How to make it…
1. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in pan to a medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and fry until they brown on all sides. This should take about 3–4 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the rest of the ghee and heat to high heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with enough water to form a sloppy paste.
3. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 15 seconds. They should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one seed.
4. Add the garlic and ginger paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat initially to stop the paste burning. (If it burns then throw away and start again.)
5. Add the Spice Mix paste and cook for 2 minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce, (optional) chilli and salt and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add the paneer and coriander and cook until all the pieces are all well-coated. This should take 1–2 minutes.
8. Add the peas, mix well and cook for 3 minutes.
9. Add the cream and cook until everything is heated through.

CHEF’S TIP
Make sure all the pieces of the paneer are nicely browned in stage 1. This creates a crispy exterior but they’ll be soft and fluffy inside.
Muttar Paneer is the popular creamy peas side dish.

If you like this you should try our…
How to make Paneer • Sag Paneer • Sag Mushrooms • Chilli Paneer • Butter Chicken • Butter Paneer • Prawn Korma • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Chicken Dopiaza

My grandad wasn’t happy when I ordered him Muttar Paneer… But then he’s always grump-pea.

How to cook… Sag Paneer

Serves 4 as a side dish

Sag Paneer is an excellent side dish, with the crispiness of the pre-fried cheese – especially if you make your own paneer – beautifully complemented by with the wilted, bright green spinach leaves. The addition of the red chilli can add a nice kick as well as a lovely splash of colour.

What you need…
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 200g paneer, cut into chunks about 2-3 cm square
• 0.5 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste
• 1 teaspoons ginger paste
• 200g Base Curry Sauce
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• small handful coriander leaves, chopped
• 200g spinach (fresh or frozen), chopped

Spice Mix
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder

How to make it…
1. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in pan to a medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and fry until they brown. This should take about 3–4 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the rest of the ghee and heat to high heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with enough water to form a sloppy paste.
3. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 15 seconds. They should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one seed.
4. Add the garlic and ginger paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat initially to stop the paste burning. (If it burns then throw away and start again.)
5, Add the Spice Mix paste and cook for 2 minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce, (optional) chilli and salt and cook for 2 minute.
7. Add the paneer and coriander and cook until all the pieces are all well-coated. This should take 1–2 minutes.
8. Add the spinach and cook until all the moisture has evaporated and the spinach has wilted. This will take about 5 minutes.

CHEF’S TIP
An easy way to ‘chop’ up the spinach is to put it in the freezer, then just before you need it bring it out and beat it with your fist. The spinach will snap into small pieces and defrost very quickly.
Sag Paneer, makes an excellent side dish with its crispy cheese chunks and dark green spinach leaves.

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The waiter in our local restaurant is always asking questions about my orders… It’s like the Spinach Inquisition.

How to cook… Prawn Korma

Serves 4 as a main dish

The beautifully mild Korma is a delicious dish when cooked well. This recipe avoids the sickly sweetness and coconut dished up by some restaurants and concentrates on the creamy, smoothness of a great dish served with plump prawns.

What you need…
• 1.5 onions
• 3 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons ghee
• 4 Tablespoons milk
• pinch turmeric
• 800g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 1 Tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 Tablespoon garam masala
• 100g yoghurt
• 150ml double cream
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon almond flakes
• few coriander leaves, for garnish

How to make it…
1. Chop the onions and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. This removes the bitterness. PurƩe the onions in a blender.
2. Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee in a pan to a low-medium heat. Add the milk and the turmeric and once warm add the prawns to colour them. This should take 1-2 minutes. Remove the prawns and set aside.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the rest of the ghee. When hot add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the garam masala, yoghurt, cream and salt, and cook for 3 minutes.
6. While it is cooking turn the grill to a high heat and roast the almonds. This takes less than a minute so be careful not to burn them.
7. Add the prawns until cooked.
8. Serve, garnished with the roasted almonds and coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
The smoothness of this dish means you’ll be able to actually taste a delicate accompaniment such as Saffron Rice or Lemon Rice.
Smooth and creamy Prawn Korma.

If you like this you should try our…
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What’s Boy George’s favourite curry? … Korma Chameleon

How to cook… Prawn Vindaloo

Serves 4 as a main dish

The Vindaloo is for curry lovers who are after some serious heat. Originally a pork and vinegar dish from Goa, restaurants took the name to represent a super spicy curry, so for a coastal state, what better replacement than briny prawns? The restaurant-style Vindaloo has heat from the peppercorns and chilli, sourness from the vinegar and includes it’s trademark chunks of potato.

What you need…
• 1 large potato, cut into 5cm chunks (you should have 6-8 of them)
• small knob of butter
• 800g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 1 Tablespoons garam masala
• salt to taste
• 0.5 onion sliced
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar

Spice Mix 1
• 1 Tablespoon curry powder
• 4 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Spice Mix 2
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 0.5 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

How to make it…
1. Boil the potato chunks until cooked. While the water is boiling mix the Spice Mix 1 with 1 Tablespoon vinegar and enough water to form a sloppy paste. Set the potatoes aside once cooked.
2. Heat the butter to a medium heat. Add the prawns to the butter and stir fry until they are pink. This should take about 2 minutes. Remove the prawns from the pan and set aside.
3. Heat the ghee to a high heat. Add the Spice Mix 2 and fry for 15 seconds. The spices should sizzle immediately when you add them to the ghee. You can test it is hot enough by adding one cumin seed.
4. Add the garlic paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat for a while to the paste burning. (If it burns then throw it away and start again.)
5. Add the Spice Mix 2 paste and cook for two minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce and tomato ketchup and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add the garam masala, salt, mix well, and cook for 3 minutes.
8. Add the prawns and cook for 2 minutes. Add the onion and the Tablespoon of vinegar and continue cooking until the prawns are fully cooked.
9. Finally, add the cooked potato pieces, mix in well and serve.

CHEF’S TIP
To really enjoy the heat of this dish avoid eat it with chappatis instead of rice..
Heat lovers can’t resist a spicy Prawn Vindaloo.

If you like this you should try our…
Lamb Vindaloo • Chicken Phall • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Dopiaza • Medium Prawn Curry • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Chicken Tikka Masala

Check out 5 Best Goa Curries

Why did the prawn leave the bar early? … Because he pulled a muscle.

How to cook… Prawn Madras

Serves 4 as a main dish

Madras is the go-to choice for heat fans and it’s fitting that shellfish is used for a dish that is named after a coastal city. South India’s hot, sweltering city Madras (now called Chennai) offers a great heat kick without going too crazy. Heat lovers would say it dishes up the perfect balance of spice and heat – just add Base Curry Sauce plus a little onion and tomato.

What you need…
• small knob of butter
• 800g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 0.5 onion sliced
• 1 tomato, cut into segments
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• salt to taste

Spice Mix 2
• 1 Tablespoon curry powder
• 2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Spice Mix 2
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon peppercorns

How to make it…
1. Heat the butter to a medium heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with the vinegar and enough water to form a sloppy paste.
2. Add the prawns to the butter and stir fry until they are pink. This should take about 2 minutes. Remove the prawns from the pan and set aside.
3. Heat the ghee to a high heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix 1 with the vinegar and enough water to form a sloppy paste.
4. Add the Spice Mix 2 to the ghee and fry for 15 seconds. The spices should sizzle immediately when you add them to the ghee. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one cumin seed.
5. Add the garlic paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat for a while to the paste burning. (If it burns then throw it away and start again.)
6. Add the Spice Mix 2 paste and cook for two minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
7. Add the Base Curry Sauce and tomato ketchup and cook for 2 minutes.
8. Add the garam masala, salt, mix well and cook for 3 minutes.
9. Add the prawns and cook for 2 minutes.
10. Add the onion and tomato and continue cooking until the prawns are cooked.

CHEF’S TIP
The onion and tomato segments should be cooked just enough that they are soft but still intact.
Prawn Madras, hot and spicy.

If you like this you should try our…
Prawn Vindaloo • Chicken Phall • Prawn Rogan • Prawn Dopiaza • Medium Prawn Curry • Prawn Korma • Medium Chicken Curry • Chicken Madras • Chicken Vindaloo • Chicken Bhoona • Chicken Tikka Masala

My friend fell sick in the curry house the other night. Luckily the owner let him rest on his nice soft Madras.

How to cook… Prawn Rogan

Serves 4 as a main dish

Prawn is excellent for the restaurant-style Rogan with the saltiness of the shellfish providing a counter to the tartness of the tomatoes. A medium-strength dish, it’s based on a classic curry with the addition of the extra tomatoes and red pepper added to the Base Curry Sauce to mimic the redness of the authentic lamb version.

What You Need…
• small knob of butter
• 800g prawns, shelled and deveined
• 2 Tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 600ml Base Curry Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• small handful fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoons garam masala
• salt to taste
• 2 tomatoes, cut into segments

Spice Mix 1
• 1 Tablespoon mild curry powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

How to make it…
1. Heat the butter to a medium heat. While it is heating up mix the Spice Mix with the vinegar and enough water to form a sloppy paste.
2. Add the prawns to the butter and stir fry until they are pink. This should take about 2 minutes. Remove the prawns from the pan and set aside.
3. Heat the rest of the ghee to a high heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry for 15 seconds. They should sizzle immediately. You can test the ghee is hot enough by adding one seed.
4. Add the garlic paste and cook for 1 minute on a lower heat. You may have to remove the pan from the heat initially to stop the paste burning. (If it burns then throw it away and start again.)
5. Add the Spice Mix paste and cook for 2 minutes. It should now be thick and gloopy.
6. Add the Base Curry Sauce, tomato ketchup and coriander, and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add the red pepper, mix well and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Add the garam masala, salt and coriander stems, and cook for 3 minutes.
9. Add the prawns and cook for 2 minutes.
10. Add the tomatoes and continue cooking until the prawns are fully cooked. The tomatoes should be soft but not broken down.

CHEF’S TIP
Avoid overripe tomatoes for this dish or they will break up too easily.
Prawn Rogan, plump shellfish with extra tomatoes and red peppers.

If you like this you should try our…
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I knew this polieman who used to do everything by the book when he ordered his food. That’s all changed and he’s gone Rogan.

How to cook… Chicken Tikka Masala

Serves 4 as a main dish

Often called Britain’s ā€œnational dishā€, some people refuse to order anything else but Chicken Tikka Masala on a visit to an Indian restaurant. Chunks of Chicken Tikka are cooked with green peppers and tomatoes and simmered in a mix of Base Curry Sauce, Tikka Marinade, yoghurt and cream.

What you need…
For the Chicken Tikka…
• 800g chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 recipe Tikka Marinade

For the Masala…
• 240ml Base Curry Sauce
• the leftover Tikka Marinade
• 2 Tablespoons yoghurt
• 2 Tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 0.5 green pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1–4 chillies, depending on how hot you want your curry, chopped
• small handful fresh coriander (chop up the stems to add to the curry and set aside the leaves for garnish)
• 2 tomatoes, cut into segments
• 100ml double cream
• salt to taste

How to make it…
1. Squeeze the lemon over the chicken, rub it in well and leave for 15 minutes. This will degrease the chicken and also helps the chicken absorb the marinade.
2. Shake off the excess lemon and coat the pieces in the Tikka Marinade. Leave for at least 15 minutes but preferably 24–48 hours.
3. Preheat your oven to 170 C. Place the pieces on a baking tray (keep the remaining marinade), ensuring all the pieces are kept well apart and cook for 12 minutes, turning once. The chicken should be mostly white on the inside but not fully cooked. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
4. Heat a pan to a medium heat and add the Base Curry Sauce, the leftover Chicken Tikka Marinade, the yoghurt and tomato ketchup and mix well.
5. Add the pepper, chillies and coriander stems and cook until the peppers start to soften. This should take about 5 minutes.
6. Add the chicken, tomatoes, cream and salt and cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
7. Serve, garnished with the coriander leaves.

CHEF’S TIP
Curries generally need seasoning with salt, like most dishes, so don’t be afraid to use it. If you do overdo it then lemon juice can neutralise the salty taste.
For some people a curry means only one thing: a Chicken Tikka Masala.

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A make-up company has been experimenting with curry. It’s come up with something called Chicken Tikka Mascara.