Shami kabab is a popular Indian and Pakistani snack made from ground meat (usually beef, chicken or lamb) and lentils, which are mixed together with spices and formed into patties. The patties are then shallow-fried until crispy and golden brown.
Ingredients500g ground beef or lamb
1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram lentils)
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
2 green chilies, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
Salt, to taste
1 egg, beaten
Oil, for frying
Method
- Soak the chana dal in water for about 2 hours, then drain.
- In a large pot, combine the ground meat, chana dal, onion, ginger paste, garlic paste, green chilies, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and salt. Add enough water to cover the ingredients by about an inch.
- Cook the mixture on medium heat until the water has evaporated and the meat is cooked through. This should take about 30-40 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool, then transfer it to a food processor and pulse until it forms a smooth paste.
- Shape the mixture into small patties.
- Dip each patty into the beaten egg, then shallow fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.