Chapli Kabab (Chicken)

Kabab or Kebab has a nice ring to it, it brings a smile on my face whenever someone utters that word. My mind starts getting images of get-togethers, fun with friends, with some beer or wine in the vicinity(yaasss),  jamming sessions, or a fancy restaurant, sometimes dhaba style restaurants too :) etc. etc. So in short, this dish brings happiness to me. It is served as an appetizer mostly during parties and get together's!
Of course, one shouldn't stop at that,  make it at home, in your kitchen whenever you feel like :)
I call it a 'Happy Side Dish'

It is a cloudy rainy day today in my town and I was craving for some chatpata (spicy peppery) snack. Had some minced chicken in the fridge, thought of making these chapli kebabs. Very easy to make, use the spices on hand, make patties and fry it in the oil!

  

Chapli kebab is a Pashtun-style minced kebab, usually made from ground beef or mutton with various spices in the shape of a patty. It originates from Peshawar in Northwest Pakistan and is also known as the Peshawari kebab.

The chapli kebab is a popular barbecue and street food in parts of Northern India, Pakistan, as well as in eastern Afghanistan. It can be served and eaten hot with naan bread, rice, or in burgers and sandwiches such as a Bun kebab or stuff in Pita Bread. Or just have as an appetizer with chutney dip, sliced onions and lemon wedges on the side.
Can't wait to dig in, every time I make something like this!

Here is the recipe for Chapli Kababs,

Ingredients:

• 1 16 0z  minced chicken pkt (or get chicken thigh or breast and grind using the blender)
• 1 med size onion chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes chopped finely (squeeze the water out)- I used cherry tomatoes :)
• 2-3 green chilies chopped
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1/2- 1tsp chili powder flakes (if you don't have, take dry red chili and crush it)
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp pepper powder
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds crushed in a mortar n pestle ( coarse coriander seeds pwd, a must step in chapli kababs)
• 1 cardamom crushed
• 2 cloves crushed
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp whole wheat flour ( optional, if your mixture gets little soggy, add this)
• Oil to fry

Deep fried chapli kababs

Shallow fried Chapli Kebab

Preparation:

• Take a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients except oil. Patties mixture should be dry enough. 
• Take a bowl of water at the side to dip your hands, while making patties. 
• Heat a pan with little oil in it. You can either deep fry it, which will taste awesome or shallow fry it(I like it this way)
• Take a small portion of the meat mixture and make patties by flattening it, you can give any shape you want. Traditionally it is given an oval shape. 
• Place in on the hot pan, it should sizzle. Let it cook for 3 minutes. Then flip and again cook for another 3 minutes or till done. Cook on medium flame. 
• Strain it out and place on the paper towel to absorb extra oil. 
• Serve hot with sliced onions, chutney etc. 

You may also enjoy Seekh Kebabs, Chicken Lollipops, Tofu Pan fry, Zucchini Paneer Flapjacks etc.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Health Benefits:
Chicken is one of the best non-vegetarian sources of protein. It is lean meat, which means that it contains more amount of proteins and less amount of fat. Apart from protein, chicken is rich in several minerals like phosphorus and calcium, that helps keeps bones in mint condition. Also, it has selenium which has been known to cut a risk of arthritis.Chicken has two nutrients that are great for reducing stress – tryptophan and Vitamin B5. It boosts immunity (remember how we eat chicken noodle soup when we are sick?) and promotes good heart health as it is rich in vitamin B6, plays an important role in preventing a heart attack. so I say YAY to chicken!