Malai Broccoli Recipe (Air Fryer & Oven)

Ingredients

For Malai Marinade

• ½ cup hung curd (or greek yogurt)
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup cheese (I used amul processed cheese)
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• salt to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sugar optional
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
• 1 tablespoon corn starch (or besan)

Other Ingredients

• 1 large head broccoli (about 20-22 medium sized florets, around 300 grams)
• 1-2 tablespoons butter for brushing

Garnish

• lime wedges to serve
• sliced onions to serve
• tandoori mint yogurt chutney to serve

Steps

1. Clean the broccoli and cut into bite-size florets of roughly equal size for even cooking. For blanching, boil salted water in a medium pot over high heat, add broccoli and cook for 1 minute for firm broccoli. Move to a bowl of water and ice cubes. Once cool, drain and pat dry with a kitchen or paper towel. Alternatively, steam the broccoli in an Instant Pot.
2. In a large bowl, use a whisk to thoroughly mix hung curd, heavy cream, shredded cheese, ginger-garlic paste, cardamom powder, kasuri methi, garam masala, cumin powder, salt, pepper, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch (flour).
3. Mix blanched or steamed florets into the marinade until every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and grease the basket with butter or oil. Put in the marinated florets, spreading in one layer and cooking in batches if needed. Brush or spray butter on top so the broccoli does not dry out.
5. Air-fry at 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start browning and the broccoli is tender-crisp. Turn halfway through cooking.
6. Put onto a serving plate, squeeze over lime juice and serve immediately with mint yogurt chutney.

How to Make Malai Broccoli in the Oven

1. For the oven method, preheat to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange the marinated cheesy broccoli evenly in one layer.
2. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, then broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the edges are charred and crisp. Turn halfway through cooking.