Vegetable Cutlets

I was catching up with one my good old friend over the phone last week (still New year wishes going on). We don't call weekly, monthly but yearly! We don't hang out in FB but do send/share e-mails /pictures once in a while in our inbox. So when the conversation starts over the phone, imagine could we sum up in one hour no we go until the battery is drained out completely and interrupt our talk.

Interestingly, the topic was about entertainment and food.  She said- I have 2 or 3 friends, when they talk about food , it is all about calorie counting, salad and soup in everyday basis. But you have to see their overflowing portions in their plates. They go crazily for many helpings at all the parties...  We had a good laugh about their food lifestyle.

I have seen in my lifetime too such kind of people who gulp everything and starve the next few days or until the next party....Ahh, they have never heard of portion I guess!

Party foods are usually high in fat, sodium etc... We prepare just to please the crowd, don't bother to deep fry to give the extra crisp and look, add extra TBPS of heavy cream to achieve the restaurant taste. I took extra cautious in party food because couple of times I brought an unwanted stomach flu :(

Coming to my recipe, I deep fried the cutlets to give the extra crisp and even color for the New Year Eve party. But the vegetable cutlets can be pan fried or even baked it is up to you.

Print:

Ingredients

Yield around: 8 to 10 patties

To make patties/cutlets

• 2 medium Potatoes:boiled, peeled, mashed
  
• 1/2 cup of diced carrots/peas/beans (frozen works too)-microwave 2 minutes and mashed coarsely
  
• 1/4 cup of onion minced
• 2 tsp of oil
• Turmeric: 1/4 tsp
  
• Garam Masala: 1 tsp
• Red chilli powder: 1 tsp
• Salt: to your taste (1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp)

To make the outer covering:

• Breadcrumb: 3/4 cup (keep in separate plate)
  
• All Purpose Flour (maida):  2 tbsp (mix with little water and make a thin batter in a bowl)

To Deep fry:

• Enough oil
  

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil, add the onion and saute until translucent.

2.Add the garam masala+ chilli powder+ turmeric +salt -just mix a minute in medium heat
3.Now add the mashed vegetables and mix together
4.Switch off the stove and let the mixture cool to handle.


To make the patties:

Take a small portion of the vegetable mixture (use the ice-cream scoop ) shape into circle and flatten between your palm or any shapes you want.
Dip in (flour + water) batter and roll in breadcrumb all the patties one by one until they are well coated.
Arrange in a plate and cling it , refrigerate at least 30 min. if you want to deep fry - if you shallow fry or bake , skip the refrigeration.


To deep fry:
Heat enough oil in deep fryer. Lower to medium heat and drop the patties do not overcrowd the pan.
Slowly flip with a fork after 1 or 2 min.
Once the cutlets turns golden brown, remove it and keep in paper towel.


Serve hot with ketchup or chutney. Or keep in a preheat oven until served.