Meat, South and Southeast Asian
Lamb kofta curry with basmati rice
Lamb kofta curry is a dish of spiced lamb meatballs simmered in a tangy tomato sauce, served with basmati rice, for 4 people. It takes 50 minutes and stays easy to make, for €3.60 per serving. The trick is letting the meatballs brown undisturbed before they go into the sauce.
Tonight, we're heading to North India with fragrant lamb meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce, served with basmati rice.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.60
- Calories per person
- 660 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Fall, Spring
The lamb meatballs keep a soft texture thanks to the breadcrumbs and grated onion, while garam masala, cumin, and turmeric give them a warm, rounded flavor without overwhelming heat. The tomato sauce gets its depth from onions cooked until properly golden before the spices go in, it's the kind of detail that makes all the difference.
This is a dish for a weeknight when you have a bit of time to spare, or a Sunday if you want to cook as a family. At Mon Chou, we love this curry because it practically simmers on its own once the meatballs are shaped, and it works equally well for spice lovers and those who prefer a milder sauce.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Ground lamb 500 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Onion 2
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Fresh ginger 2 tsp
- Fresh cilantro 4 sprigs
Pantry
- Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 400 g
- Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
- Garam masalaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
- Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
- Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Allergens Gluten
The step by step recipe
-
Grate one onion and mix it with the lamb, half the garlic and ginger, the breadcrumbs, chopped cilantro, one teaspoon of garam masala, the cumin, salt, and pepper, then shape into about twenty meatballs.
Wet your hands before rolling, the meat won't stick and the meatballs will come out nice and smooth.
-
Brown the meatballs in a pot with half the oil, then set them aside. 8 min
Don't move them until they release on their own, otherwise they'll fall apart.
-
In the same pot, sauté the other sliced onion with the remaining garlic and ginger, then add the turmeric, chili powder, and remaining garam masala. 10 min
Let the onion turn a nice golden color before adding the spices, that's where all the sauce's depth comes from.
-
Pour in the tomatoes and half a glass of water, let simmer for five minutes, then return the meatballs to the sauce. 20 min
If your sauce tastes too acidic, a pinch of sugar will balance it out.
-
Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear, then cook it in salted water and drain. 11 min
Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, so the grains stay separate and light.
Our tips to get it right
- Shape the meatballs to an even size so they all cook at the same rate and the sauce coats them evenly.
- Taste the sauce before serving the meatballs again, it's the right moment to adjust salt or chili to your liking.
- Shape the raw meatballs ahead of time and keep them in the fridge, you'll save time when it's cooking time.
The variations
- Swap the ground lamb for ground beef for a milder, less distinctive flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, make meatballs from mashed chickpeas and breadcrumbs instead of meat.
- For a quicker meal, shape smaller meatballs, they'll cook faster in the sauce.
What to serve it with
- Plain basmati rice
- Warm naan bread
- Plain yogurt with mint
Storage
Lamb kofta curry keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, meatballs and sauce together, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a pan or pot with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Questions about this dish
Can you make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the raw meatballs the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. They'll taste even better, since the spices will have had time to soak into the meat.
What can replace breadcrumbs in the meatballs?
Crumbled bread works well, or roughly ground oats. What matters is adding a binder without weighing down the texture.
Can this curry be frozen?
Yes, meatballs and sauce freeze together without issue, for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge before reheating gently.
Is this dish too spicy for kids?
With one teaspoon of chili powder, the sauce has character but stays moderate. Cut it in half if you're cooking for young children unused to spice.
How long does it take to make a lamb kofta curry with basmati rice?
Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in a lamb kofta curry with basmati rice?
About 660 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a lamb kofta curry with basmati rice cost?
About €3.60 per serving, or €14.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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