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Nargisi kofta

Egg-stuffed mince koftas

Cut a nargisi kofta in half and you see why it is named after the narcissus flower: a white and yellow egg ringed with a band of browned, spiced mince, sitting in a deep red gravy. The dish came down from Mughal kitchens to Pakistani wedding menus and Eid dinners, and it is still the showpiece many families make for guests, served with naan, sheermal or pulao. The meat casing is soft and fragrant with garam masala, and the gravy rich with yogurt, onion and a little cream. Shells that crack open in the pan are the common grief; dust the eggs in gram flour first so the mince grips, and keep the casing an even thickness. Chef's tip: halve the koftas only on the serving dish, just before they go to the table, with a sharp, wet knife for a clean cut.

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