Kheema Kofta(balls) in Spicy Gravy

Keema* (kheema/ minced mutton) is a meat used widely in India and other Asian countries. One of my neighbors used to make some real ass-kicking spicy meatballs in gravy. My mom never liked it so much I guess and so I basically depended on my neighbor to cook it in order to enjoy it :) One of my aunts tried it and the keema balls used to break in the gravy for the reasons best known to her :)

Sadly, I have not come across this dish in any restaurants either. After coming to the USA, it was hard to find mutton itself, leave alone minced mutton(keema). Since past few years, I have found a place where I get halal meat and I am very happy about it. One of my foodie friend Namita was kind enough to share this wonderful recipe with me and I have stuck with it since then.

Let us check the recipe:

KEEMA KOFTA IN SPICY GRAVY

Ingredients:
For the Gravy Masala:

• 1/2 cup fresh or dry grated coconut (dry roast)
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 4 cloves
• 1 green cardamom
• 1 inch cinnamon, 
• 4-5 peppercorns
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 1 inch ginger 
• 5-6 garlic pods 
• handful chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp oil to fry
• salt as per taste
  

For Keema Kofta (Balls)

• 1 and 1/4 cup keema
• 2 green chillies (add more if you like spicy)
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• handful cilantro chopped finely
• 1 tsp garam masala
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp turmeric (haldi)
• 4 tsp fried gram dal powder (phutani powder)- for binding
• 1 tsp red chilli pwd

Preparation:

• Dry roast the coconut for few minutes and transfer it to the blender.
• In a pan, heat 2 tsp oil and add the ingredients mentioned under gravy masala except onion, roast it lightly and transfer to a mixer/blender, Now in the same pan add more oil and saute onion till golden brown, transfer to the mixer/blender and grind. Keep the gravy masala paste aside.
• Now add all the ingredients under keema balls and grind to make a paste. Take it out and make small balls of equal sizes, you can make around more than a dozen.
• In a pan, add the gravy masala paste and cook till it leaves oil on the sides. Add salt and warm water about a cup or more into the gravy (to make it thin). Slowly add the keema balls in the gravy and let it cook on sim med flame till the keema koftas are done. Stir delicately in between. 
• Serve it hot with roti, bread or rice along with some raita.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

notes* - Many times Keema and Kheema is used interchangeably.

Health Benefits:
Goat meat contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients needed by the body. It has iron, choline, selenium and vitamin B. There is CLA in goat meat, which is a cancer-preventing fatty acid and it avoids inflammation. There is vitamin B in goat meat, which helps burn fat in your body. In addition, it is also high in protein, and lower in saturated fat than beef. It’s good for you who are on a diet. There are selenium and chlorine in goat meat which is beneficial to prevent cancer. Goat meat contains calcium and is good for the bones.