Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry)

Indian Spinach Fritters in Curried Yogurt Sauce

Posted On: Mar, 18 |  Author:
Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry)
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

Kadhi Pakoda!!  It's Monday!! 

Kadhi Pakoda or Pakode Wali Kadhi or Kofta Curry, this traditional North Indian Punjabi main dish is known by many names all over India. Spinach Koftas are crunchy fried fritters made with chickpea flour, few spices, and spinach. These fritters are then simmered in a yogurt-based tangy gravy. Traditionally served with rice or naan, this vegetarian curry is staple in North Indian Homes! 

So, for anyone looking for a delicious, authentic, and vegetarian Indian Meal, I thought it would be nice to give you some taste of Punjabi Cuisine with this Spinach Kofta Kadhi recipe.  Just so you know, this vegetarian curry is also gluten free. Not just in fritters, even yogurt gravy has been thickened with just chickpea flour. So it is perfect for a gluten free family dinner.

Spinach Kofta Simmered in Tangy Yogurt Sauce for Indian Punjabi Kadhi Pakora Dinner | chefdehome.com

However, the traditional chickpea fritters don't have spinach. Mostly, these are made with just chickpea flour, spices and some onions. In other words, Spinach Fritters are variation of traditional fritters with an additional does of hidden veggie! :) No kidding, not just an additional veggie, spinach gives a lot of flavor and also lite texture to these fritters.

Whenever I make Spinach Fritters, half of them go away with evening tea or coffee as evening snack. Some days, I have to really hide the rest to add to yogurt sauce. :) You can imagine how good these taste on it's own!

Traditional Indian Palak Kadhi Pakora served with Indian Naan | chefdehome.com

Naan or Indian Basmati rice are two staple accompaniments for Kofta Kadhi. You can see from pictures, I have made this curry at two different occasions to share this recipe. Once, I served it with homemade Garlic Naans and other time with rice. If you planning a complete Indian Meal, here are the recipe links: Garlic Naan and Basmati Jerra Rice.

PS: Earlier, I have also shared recipe of Kadhi Recipe with onion chickpea fritters. Here is a link, if you want to check out.

Serve with Naan or Indian Roti. Recipes listed below:

Basmati Jeera Rice Chapati Homemade Restaurant-Style Indian Garlic Naan

Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry)

Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry)
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Indian () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 2-3 Servings - Serves: 2
(No. of servings depends on serving size!)

Ingredients

Spinach Kofta
Kadhi(Yogurt Curry)
Chili-Ghee Tempering - Optional
Smart Swap: Replace spinach with Kale or Fenugreek Leaves

Directions

  • Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 1. Slice 1 large onion into two parts. Now, finely chop half of onion and slice other half into thin half moon slices and leave aside. In a bowl, mix fine chopped half of onion, chopped spinach, chopped green pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp chili powder, half of chopped garlic and 4 tbsp of chickpea flour.
    Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 2. Mix 1 tbsp at a time water into dry ingredients until all ingredients can stick together to form small balls. Divide the mixture into 6-7 equal size kofta balls and set aside. Additional Notes: Batter will be loose and sticky. Oil your hands to make this process little easier or use large spoon (rinse in water after each portion) to make portions.
  • Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan (or fryer) . When oil is hot, fry kofta 3-4 at a time. Additional Notes: To check if oil is heated to proper temp, drop a pinch of kofta batter in the oil. It should float to surface at count of 3.
    Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 4. When koftas are brown and crispy, remove on a paper lined tray and set aside.
  • 5. Kadhi (Yogurt Curry) - In a blender or a bowl with hand whisk, , combine yogurt and water mixture with 2 heaping tablespoons of chickpea flour (Besan), 1/2 tsp turmeric, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
  • Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 6. In a deep sauce pan or dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp oil, add fenugreek seeds (methi seeds), fry for 1 minute. Then add mustard seeds, when mustard seeds start sputtering and turn black, add whole red chili, curry leaves(optional), cumin seeds, turmeric, remaining half onion slices, remaining half of garlic and fry until onions are just translucent. (2-3 minutes)
  • Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 7. Reduce the heat to low and add blended mixture in the pan. Slowly increase the heat and keep stirring frequently until liquid starts boiling. Additional Notes: Follow the notes below the recipe to make sure Yogurt Curry never curdle.
    Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 8. Keep cooking for 10 more minutes on medium heat. Add spinach koftas and cook on medium heat for 7-8 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
  • Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 9. Optional Chili Tempering - Heat 2 tsp butter or ghee in a pan, when melted, add a pinch asafoetida (hing) and 1/2 tsp mild chili powder. Let it heat for 5 seconds then pour over cooked Kadhi for a extra layer of authentic Indian curry flavor. (you can also reduce the amount of chili in curry if planning to add this chili-butter at the end.)
    Step for Recipe - Spinach Kofta Kadhi (Curry) 10. Serve hot with Garlic Naan or Roti of your choice.
Savita's Notes:

How to avoid Yogurt Curry from Curdle (futi kadhi) It is very important to stir the mixture for step 7 and 8 or yogurt can curdle resulting in a non-creamy curry.

Remember, curry curdles when there is sudden change of temperature like suddenly too hot or too cold mixed together.

So, take care of following to ensure yogurt never curdles when cooked:

1. Take yogurt out of fridge while cooking kofta so that yogurt is not fridge-cold when adding in curry.
2. Make sure chickpea flour is fully mixed (well blended) in yogurt before adding to curry.
3. Add yogurt mix slowly into the sauted onions and keep mixing with spatula.
4. Keep heat medium, don't increase heat to high which will curdle yogurt immediately.
5. Stir the mixture continuously until it comes to boil.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

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20 Responses

  1. Can I use non-dairy yogurt?
    I’ve never tried making Kadhi with non-dairy yogurt. If I ever do will share an update. If you try this let me know how it goes.
  2. Really enjoyed this recipe. I made it for a friend who said, 'You've ruined me now - when I go to Indian restaurants this is what I will expect.' The chickpea flour adds a delicious creaminess to the sauce and the kofta - have you tried using it to make kofta with cauliflower/potatoes/other veggies? It is, on the other hand, very sticky and hard to work with. But the results are worth the annoyances!
    Hi Cole, I'm glad you enjoyed kofta kadhi. Thank you for such sweet words. Regarding messy kofta batter. I agree, it is little messy-loose but that's why this batter results in soft koftas without leavening agents. Yes, I have tried cauliflower and potato koftas in this curry too and these taste delightful. Try with cauliflower sometime, you will love it.Thanks for taking time to write your feedback. -Savita
  3. Did you mean 1 tsp instead of 1 Tbsp for the tumeric?
    Omg! Yes, I did mean 1 tsp instead of tbsp. 1 tbsp will be way too much. thanks for pointing out, Susan!
  4. Hi Savita! You have some nice recipes here including this one. I just wanted to know if these spinach fritters can be baked instead of fried? If so, what temperature would I set my oven to and how long would I need to bake them for? Thanks and looking forward to your reply.
    Hi Sheila, thanks! Regarding your question, I haven't tried to bake these koftas. If I would, the amount of chickpea flour will be more, and I would add little bit baking powder too. I mostly bake veggie based foods at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let me know if you try!
  5. I made this last night! It was so freaking delicious. Husband and I finished it one sitting.
    Keerthana, thanks! I'm so glad you family enjoyed kadhi so much. thanks for leaving feedback.
  6. Oh yes, i love spinach fritters too... This is a terrific combination, the kadhi looks absolutely great :)
    Thanks, Gauri! :)
  7. Oh gosh , it looks so tasty!!! And that pretty yellow color ...
    Thanks, Qchnia24. Yellow color is courtesy of Turmeric, used very often in Indian curries. I'm glad you like it.
  8. thanks @nandoo
  9. kofta's looking delicious.
  10. I love cooking and trying new recipes to feed my family. I am glad to find your website with same motto. :) Wish you all the best. BTW Spinach Koftas look mouthwatering delicious.
  11. I have similar recipe on my blog which I my friend shared with me. Your photos look amazing.
  12. Xpinach Kofta Curry looks so delicious!!! I always make Koftas with chickpeas flour and onions, this one is a nice and different idea. I have to try it.
  13. Very well explained, I like your site ChefDeHome, a lot of recipes are so well presented, I am not a cooking person but I think I can make this Spinach Koftas and Curry. thanks for sharing.