Mini Vegetarian Cutlets

A quick and easy snack to satisfy the minor cravings in you. Be it after work or on a lazy Sunday evening, you can make these mini cutlets in just 15 mins. These can be served with some green chutney (you can find the recipe in my blog soon), salsa dip or your very own ketchup. You can make this snack either by shallow frying or by baking it in the oven (as a healthier option). So, let’s get started 😋

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 5 mins (if frying) or 15 mins (if baking)

Ingredients:

1 medium-size boiled potato
100gm cottage cheese (coming soon on my blog a quick and easy way to make it at home)
1/4 cup boiled chickpeas (you can use the canned version)
2 slices of bread (whole wheat or multigrain as healthy options)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp mango powder
Lemon juice for flavor
2 cups oil for shallow frying or 1/4 cup oil for baking

Optional Toppings: 

Chopped cilantro/coriander to add flavor
Finely chopped nuts (almonds, cashews or walnut taste best)

Directions:

Lightly mash potatoes and chickpeas together

Crumble the cottage cheese and mix with the potato mixture

Add all the spices and mix properly

Add the optional toppings (if using any)

Crumble the bread slices and knead it in the mixture (Bread binds the mixture together so that it does not fall apart while frying or baking it)

Take a spoon and make small balls with the mixture. You can give any shape of your choice, I made small squares in this recipe

Baking:

Preheat the oven to 400℉

Line a baking tray with parchment or aluminum paper

Brush some oil over the cutlets (on both sides for best results)

Place the cutlets on the tray leaving some gap between each of them

Bake them for 15 mins turning half-way through

Grill an additional 3 mins on high heat for a crispy texture

Frying:

In a pan, heat the oil on medium-high heat

Check if the oil is heated by taking a small piece of the mixture and dropping in oil. If the piece rises quickly in the oil, it means its heated right. Alternatively, you can use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature. The ideal temperature is 350 to 375℉

Once the oil is heated, carefully place the cutlets in oil. Cook them for 2 mins on each side, carefully turning them

Use a kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil

Garnish and Serve:

Place the cutlets on a plate

Pour some lemon, garnish with cilantro and serve with the dip of your choice

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy snack. If you do, please make sure to share photos and tag Herbs_n_Garlic on Instagram