Zaiqa

Potato ‘Cutlets’ or ‘Tikki’ are one of the best Indian snacks for a gathering of hungry foodies at a party or as a comfort food during winters. They also fulfil as a good side dish along with a patla salan/thin gravy curry and chawal/rice for a delicious meal.

Qimah Bhare Aloo ke Cutlets

You can prepare plain seasoned mashed potato cutlets or stuff the potato cutlets with little leftover dry Qimah/Minced meat for some delicious eats. I enjoy them along with chutneys, Tomato chutney and Kothmir-Pudina wali Chutney or Coriander-Mint Chutney. My personal favorite chutney along with these cutlets is Kothmir-Pudina wali Chutney. They can also be served at Iftaar during Ramadhan

Potato Cutlets/Tikki/Cakes

Ingredients:

White potatoes – 4, large
Black pepper – to taste
Cilantro – 2, tbsp, finely chopped
Wheat flour – 3 tbsp
Salt – to taste

Method:

Wash the potatoes and boil them with their skin on until they are fork tender. Drain, peel and mash them with coarsely using a fork while they are still hot. Once they are cool enough to handle but still warm, add black pepper powder and salt to taste and mix well.
Shape them into patties, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch in thickness. Dip them in the flour on both sides. Remove excess flour and shallow fry them in oil, just before serving, at medium high in a large non-stick frying pan in batches. Let cook until the first side until it is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes, then gently flip them using a rubber spatula and cook the other side for more 3 minutes. Remove them on a tray. Wipe the pan with paper towels, and add a little more oil. Repeat until all the potato mixture is finished. Cover the tray with aluminium foil and keep them warm in an oven at 200°F until all are done.

Qimah Bhare Aloo Cutlets – Potato Cutlets/Cakes stuffed with Minced meat

Ingredients:

(You can use any left over dry minced meat curry, or prepare some minced meat from scratch. To prepare minced meat, follow this or this recipe, or the recipe that follows below-)

For Stuffing:

Minced meat – 200 gms
Onion – 1 small, finely sliced
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
Red chilli powder – t taste
Salt – to taste
Tomato puree – 2 tbsp
Canola oil – 2 tbsp
Mint leaves – 2 tsp, finely chopped

For Potato Cutlets/Cakes/Tikkis:

White potatoes – 4, large
Black pepper – to taste
Cilantro – 2, tbsp, finely chopped
Wheat flour (Durum Atta) – 3 tbsp
Salt – to taste

Method:

For the stuffing, gently sauté the onion in the oil until golden brown in color. Add ginger garlic paste and the remaining spices. Add meat, stirring to break up all lumps as the meat cooks and mix it all thoroughly. When all traces of pink have disappeared, add tomato puree and let cook for 4 minutes or until dry and there are no traces of water. Stir in the finely chopped mint leaves, check the seasonings and let cool completely.
Wash the potatoes and boil them with their skin on until they are fork tender. Drain, peel and mash them with coarsely using a fork while they are still hot. Once they are cool enough to handle, add black pepper powder and salt to taste and mix well.
Next shape the potato mixture into small golf balls and make a well in the center. Put about a teaspoon of the filling into the well and gently enclose it inside the potato mixture. Neaten the shape of the cake and patch up any cracks and gaps taking care that the filling nicely enclosed inside. Flatten it slightly between your palms.
Dip them in the flour on both sides. Remove excess flour and shallow fry them in oil at medium high in a large non-stick frying pan in batches. Let cook until the first side until it is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes, then gently flip them using a rubber spatula and cook the other side for more 3 minutes. Remove them on a tray. Wipe the pan with paper towels, and add a little more oil. Repeat until all the potato mixture is finished. Cover the tray with aluminium foil and keep them warm in an oven at 200°F until all are done.

Suggested Accompaniments: Enjoy them as a snack along with Tomato chutney and Kothmir-Pudina wali Chutney or Coriander and Mint Chutney, or serve them as a side dish along with a curry and Pulao or your choice.

Luv,
Mona