Aloo Qeema Cutlets ( Potato and Minced meat Cutlets)

I had sworn off fried foods during Ramadan but after ten days of fasting I couldn’t resist making this old favorite of mine for iftar. These cutlets can be frozen too. Alternately, you can make and freeze the minced meat filling (which can be used for samosas too) and simply boil the potatoes and stuff the cutlets when you have to serve them.

Aloo Qeema Cutlets

Ingredients: ( For about 12-15 cutlets)
For minced meat filling:
Minced meat (mutton/beef) – 250 grams
Onion – 1 medium, chopped
Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
Ginger paste – 1 tsp
Garlic paste – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp
Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
Red chilly powder – according to taste
Salt – according to taste
Peas – 1/4 cup
Cooking oil – 2-3 tbsp

For potato mixture:
Potatoes – 4-5
Cilantro leaves, chopped – 2-3 tbsp
Roasted cumin powder – 1/4 tsp
Red chilly powder – according to taste
Black pepper powder – according to taste
Salt – according to taste

Egg – 1
Breadcrumbs

Method:
1) Heat oil and add the cumin seeds. When they begin to splutter, add the chopped onions and fry just until the onion is translucent.
2) Add the minced meat and fry with ginger-garlic paste, spices and peas until the water dries up and peas are tender.
3) Boil the potatoes. Peel and mash them with the cilantro and spices.
4) Make small balls (slightly smaller than a ping pong ball) from the potato mixture. Flatten one ball as much as you can by pressing gently between your palms. Place about one tbsp of the minced meat filling on the flattened potato disc. Now flatten another ball and use it to cover the previous one so that the minced meat filling is enclosed between the two discs. Press gently and shape the cutlets into circles or hearts. Make sure that there are no gaps or cracks.
5) Dip the cutlets into beaten egg and roll in breadcrumbs.
6) Deep fry or shallow fry them and serve with ketchup or chutney.
7) If you want to freeze these cutlets place them in a single layer on a tray. When they become hard transfer them to a Ziploc bag or freezer safe container.

Step by step pics

Tips:
1) You can boil potatoes quickly in the microwave. Wash  and prick the unpeeled potatoes with a fork in several places. Do not dry the potatoes. Microwave for about 3 minutes . Turn them and microwave again for another 2 -3 minutes. Test with a fork to make sure they are tender.
2) To make breadcrumbs at home, spread some slices on a tray and leave out to dry overnight. You can remove the crusts if you like. If you are in a hurry you can put the bread slices in a warm oven (about 300 F) until dry .Turn once in between. When they are dry , put them in a large Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin. You can also grind them in a food processor.
3) If the potato mixture sticks to your palms while flattening the balls, wet your palms a bit.

I’m linkng this to the following events:
The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2012 hosted by Zaiqa

Ramadan Friendly Recipes hosted by The Halal Foodie

Joy from fasting to feasting – V hosted by Yummy Food