Kerala Beef /Chicken/Mutton Cutlet- Kerala Style

 Meat Cutlet 

Cutlets are a very common food in Kerala kitchens-be it the chicken,beef or veg cutlets,every one enjoys this crispy snacks.These are the best appetizers for a party.They can be made in advance.There might not be a single christian house where this does not form a staple food.

I always thought that cutlets are very hard to prepare and time consuming.I never attempted to make these before marriage.I had a lot of experience in shaping and frying them well.But getting the texture correct and not having them fall apart on me while frying gives a lot of experience.
I make it quite often now...almost thrice a month.I am happy to share the recipe to my friends.

Ingredients:

• Beef/Chicken/Mutton-1/2kg(boneless,cut into medium sized cubes)
• Potato-2,large(boiled and smashed)
• Onion-1 large,finely chopped
• Ginger-1tbsp,minced
• Garlic-1/2tsp,minced
• Green chilly-7-8,cut into thin rounds(As per your tolerance level)
• Pepper-1tsp,crushed
• Garam masala-1tbsp
• Turmeric powder-a couple of pinches 
• Curry leaves-1-2sprigs,finely chopped
• Coriander leaves-1tbsp,finely chopped  
• Lemon juice-1/2tsp
• Egg-1
• Bread crumbs or powdered rusk-as required
• Salt to taste 
• Oil-as required 

Method:

1. Clean the meat thoroughly and chop it into medium large pieces.
2. Cook the meat(in pressure cooker) with turmeric powder,half tsp pepper powder and salt till it turns tender.Evaporate excess water and allow to cool. 
3. After cooling down mince the meat and keep it aside.Boil the potatoes,peel the skin and mash well.  
4. Heat oil in a large pan,add chopped onion and sprinkle salt,saute till it turns soft and translucent.
5. Add  chopped ginger,garlic,green chillies and curry leaves, stir for few minutes or until the raw smell goes off.
6. Now add garam masala and crushed pepper stir for few minutes.
7. Add minced meat,stir for few minutes and add mashed potatoes and stir the mixture for few minutes or until all the water content evaporates.
8. Now add chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice and adjust salt and seasoning.switch off heat.
9. Make small lemon size balls out of this mixture and shape them into round or oval shapes patting gently with a flat side of the knife from all sides of the meat balls,until all the cracks that form in between are sealed. 
10. Dip each cutlet into lightly beaten egg and roll it in bread crumbs.Tap off extra bread crumbs.Do this one by one.
11. You can keep this in the freezer for a long time.Divide the cutlets in batches,one batch equal to how many you would need for once.Freeze.Remove from freezer.There is no need to defrost.
12. Deep fry the cutlets in low-medium heat until they turn brown as in the picture.

Meat Cutlet Kerala Style

  

Serve warm with ketchup,mint chutney or challas.....

To make Challas,chop some big onions and add vinegar and sprinkle with some salt.Mix it with your fingers and keep it for at least 10 minutes and serve.

Happy Cooking!!!
  

Beef Ularthiyathu / Beef Raoast Kerala Style

Beef Roast Kerala Style

Beef roast/spicy Kerala beef ularthiyathu is one of the popular dishes among Kerala Christians.It is a special dish of of kottayam,usually made as  a Sunday Special or for festive occasions.This is our favorite recipe too.Since the weather has been so ''nice" to have something hot and spicy we fed on this mouthwatering beef roast for 2 days and trust me it is always the best for the next day.

Here is the Recipe

Ingredients:

1. Beef-1kg(cut into cubes and washed)
2. Small onion/shallots-1cup,sliced 
3. Ginger-2''piece,crushed or finely chopped
4. Garlic-10-12 cloves,sliced
5. Coconut Slices-1/2 cup
6. Curry leaves-2-3 sprigs
7. Coriander powder-2 tbsp
8. Chilly powder-1tbsp
9. Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
10. Masala powder(Recipe follows)
11. Salt to taste
12. Coconut oil- as required     

To Make the Masala powder:

• 1tbsp fennel seeds
• 2 tbsp pepper
• 2''cinnamon sticks
• 3-5 cloves
• 2 cardamoms
• 1/2 star anise

Method:

• Grind and powder the spices mentioned in'' To make the masala powder".Keep half tsp masala powder aside.
• Make a marinade with the rest of the masala powder,turmeric,salt,chopped ginger and garlic,1tbsp of vinegar and apply it on the meat thoroughly by using your hands.
• Leave it in room temperature for  at least 30 minutes.   
•  pressure cook the marinated beef along with bite size pieces of coconut without adding water untill it cooks well.Check whether the beef is nicely cooked or If there is any water left,switch on the heat again and let the remaining water dry up.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan or a kadai,add sliced small onions saute for 5-10 minutes or till it becomes slightly brown,add chopped garlic and ginger.Saute well.
•  Now add curry leaves and combine well and saute until they turn pale in low flame.At this stage, add coriander,chilly and turmeric powders and stir continuously until the raw smell goes.Make sure that you don't burn your onions or spice powders.
• Now add the cooked beef to this and stir.
• Add half tbsp masala powder,kept aside earlier, and roast the beef, in low flame for 10-15 minutes or until it reaches that dark brown color in the picture.  
• Adjust the salt,add 1/2 tsp pepper powder and sprinkle some oil and stir continuously.
• Before turning off the heat,add a sprig of curry leaves;do not omit this as this really helps the dish to attain a wonderful aroma and fresh fragrance of the curry leaves.

  

  Beef Roast/Beef Ularthiyathu

Notes:

• Home made masala powder is a must.
• Addition of coconut oil is a must as it enhances the taste.So use coconut oil generously.
• Try to use small onions/shallots and please don't substitute with big onions.It will affect the taste.   

Serve warm along with Rice or Kallappam,Palappam(Laced Pancakes) or Chapati or Parotta(Indian flat bread).

Happy Cooking!!!