I have a new found enjoyment of Persian food. The rice, the stews, the liberal use of turmeric…it all culminates in a beautifully delicious end product that speaks of decades of recipe refinement.
There is one particular recipe that ingeniously uses potatoes, mince, onion and spices to make little patties that are delicious over rice, with a fresh tangy side salad. Kotlets – which to me sound like cutlets – seem like a great way to stretch out the meat supply. I can’t actually find any history on these delicious morsels, but most Persians that I speak to recall these as their childhood favourite.
I’m no Persian housewife, so this might not be an authentic recipe, but I think that it’s delicious nonetheless. You’d usually have Kotlet over Persian cooked rice, but I think that these patties just call to be sandwiched between soft burger buns with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and plenty of condiments!!
Here’s what I used:
Kotlet Burgers
500g beef mince
500g mashed potatoes
1 medium brown onion, grated
1 small garlic clove, grated
1 egg
Salt and pepper to season
Dash of turmeric
Dash of paprika
5 tbsp of plain flour (optional)
Breadcrumbs
Flour
Egg wash
Mix the mince, mashed potatoes, grated onion, grated garlic, egg, tumeric, paprika, and salt and pepper. The mix was really wet for me, so I mixed in just enough plain flour to make it mouldable, but not stiff.
Then bread it as you would a cutlet – dust with flour, then egg wash, then coat with breadcrumbs.
Then just fry as you would a schnitzel – I shallow fried them in a pan till golden brown, then popped them in a 180C oven. These patties are usually the size of your palm – well, my palm anyway – but I also made some giant ones to fit the massive burger buns that I had.
Then top with your favourite condiments and burger fillings and you’re good to go!
Oh, and what are burgers without potato wedges on the side? I just sprinkled cut potato with some curry powder, salt and a bit of oil, then roasted them in a hot oven till golden brown and crispy.
Burger night, anyone?
love your burger shot. looks delicious! 🙂
These look incredible Tammi. I’m loving these photos.
Thought… Could we make a vegetarian version, chickpeas maybe?
Thank you Laura! Of course! The patty is held together by the eggs mostly, so replacing the beef mince with chickpeas shouldn’t be an issue. =)
I thought that first burger shot was a burger at some restaurant. Gorgeous photos! Love the sound of the flavouring of the pattie!
Aww thanks! I was trying something new. =) It did end up as a really tasty patty.
beautiful picture of your burger! had me drooling!
Looks delish! What time does dinner service start at your place? lol
Hmmm… interesting name… we call this sort of things “croquetas” (croquettes). My mum used to make really good ones with potato mash and canned tuna.
Beautiful photos. the recipe sounds so easy even for me! 🙂
great photos as always Tammi! could so do with a burger right now!