Easy Vegetarian Kofta Curry

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Make Indian kofta curry easy and vegetarian-friendly by using meatless meatballs in this creamy dinner dish. It's quick to make, but full of flavor.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 green cardamom pods
2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1/2 onion, grated
1 (2 inch) piece ginger root, peeled and grated
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 cup whole milk yogurt
24 frozen meatless vegetable meatballs (such as IKEA®'s frozen vegetable balls)
1/4 cup hot water, or as needed

Directions

1 Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cardamom pods, whole cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Cook until spices start to sputter, about 1 minute. Stir in onion, ginger, and garlic. Cook and stir until onion is softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
2 Stir in diced tomatoes, coriander, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, cayenne, and salt. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer; add yogurt and stir well. Add frozen vegetable balls. Pour in hot water to thin sauce slightly to desired consistency. Bring mixture back to a simmer and cook, covered, until sauce is thickened and vegetable balls are heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.