Pakistani Spaghetti with Kofta Chutney

This is an interesting way to mix some Pakistani flavour into spaghetti. It can be used for any occasion and requires only a minimal amount of preparation. The recipe serves about 4 people and is best served hot.

Ingredients:

500g of beef mince, washed and drained

*1 large onion, finely chopped

*4 green chillies, crushed

*2 teaspoons of ginger and garlic paste

*salt and pepper (to taste)

*1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

*1-2 teaspoon/s of chilli powder

*1 teaspoon of garam masala

*1 teaspoon of jeera (cummin) powder

*1 teaspoon of dhania (coriander) powder

*A handful of fresh coriander leaves, choppe

d*A handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped

*2 slices of white bread, soaked in a little milk

1 egg (beaten)

Oil for shallow frying

For the Chutney:

Oil for braising Onions (chopped)

2-3 whole dry red chillies

4-5 tomatoes, chopped (skins removed)

1 small green pepper (chopped)

3 cinnamon sticks

2 teaspoons of dried pomegranate seeds (anaardhana)

– A handful of chopped fresh coriander/mint/

spring onion

1 teaspoon of crushed garlic salt and black pepper (to taste)

2 teaspoons of chilli powder

1 teaspoon of sugar

Other ingredients:

500g of spaghetti 1 can of cream-style sweet corn 2 tablespoons of butter

Preparation Methods:

Kofta: Mix all the ingredients with a * mark into a large bowl. Proceed to squeeze out any excess milk before adding the bread to this mixture. Next add the beaten egg into the bowl and mix the contents well. Now roll small handfuls of this mixture into miniature ‘golf balls’ and keep them aside for a couple of minutes.

Heat some oil in a pan then proceed to fry kofta until it becomes golden brown turning it at least once. Remove it from the pan and allow the kofta to drain for a few minutes.

Chutney:

Fry the chopped onions until brown, then add the cinnamon sticks and the chillies. Allow this mixture to fry for a couple of minutes. Next add green pepper, the pomegranate seeds, the garlic and the tomatoes into the mixture. Cover and allow it to cook. Add the chilli powder, some salt, black pepper and the sugar after the tomatoes have melted. Allow this mixture to cook for some time before adding in the prepared kofta. Leave it to cook for another 5 minutes. Now sprinkle a handful of a combination coriander, mint or spring onions.

Spaghetti:

Follow the instructions on the packaging, and then drain it. Mix the sweet corn and the butter into the spaghetti and thoroughly mix it.