Persian Cutlet Recipe

Persian cutlets, known as “Kotlet” in Farsi, are a beloved dish in Persian cuisine. These delightful patties are a mix of ground meat, grated potatoes, onions, and spices, all combined and shaped into small patties then fried to golden perfection. This dish offers a crispy exterior with a tender and juicy interior, making it a favorite among all ages. Whether you’re preparing a quick dinner or planning a festive gathering, Persian cutlets are versatile and sure to please everyone at your table.

Persian Cutlet Recipe

Main Ingredients:

• Ground Meat: You can use beef, lamb, or a mixture of both for traditional flavor.
• Potatoes: Grate them finely for a nice texture in the patties.
• Onion: One large onion
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
• Flour or Chickpea Flour: Helps hold the cutlets together and makes flipping easier.

Spices and Seasonings:

• Salt, Turmeric, Black Pepper: These spices are essential for the authentic flavor of Kotlet.

Step 1: Prepare the Onion

Start by grating a large onion into a mixing bowl. Once grated, use your hands to squeeze out as much juice from the onion as possible, which helps prevent the cutlets from becoming too soggy.

Step 2: Grate the Potatoes

Next, grate the potatoes using the same grater. Add the grated potatoes directly into the bowl with the onion.

Step 3: Add the Ground Beef

Add your choice of ground beef, lamb, or a mixture of both to the bowl with the grated onion and potatoes.

Step 4: Include the Binding Agents

Incorporate the flour (all-purpose or chickpea flour) and one egg into the bowl. These ingredients help bind the mixture together so the cutlets can hold their shape when cooked.

Step 5: Season the Mixture

Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and turmeric for flavor. These spices are key to giving Kotlets their distinct taste.

Step 6: Knead the Mixture

Gently knead the mixture until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the cutlets tough.

Step 7: Adjust Consistency

If the mixture feels too loose or wet, add a bit more flour until it reaches a consistency that will hold together when shaped into patties.

Step 8: Shape the Kotlets

Take a palm-sized amount of the mixture and flatten it into a patty using your hands. The patties should be about half an inch thick.

Step 9: Heat the Oil

Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan to cover the bottom and heat it over medium heat. Wait until the oil is hot enough for frying.

Step 10: Fry the Kotlets

Place the Kotlets in the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook in batches. Fry them over medium to low heat.

Step 11: Cook Until Crispy

Cook the Kotlets until they are golden brown and crispy on the bottom side, then flip them over to fry the other side.

Step 12: Ensure They Are Cooked Through

Continue frying until both sides of the Kotlets are crispy and they are cooked through completely.

Step 13: Serving

Serve the Kotlets hot. They pair wonderfully with sides like fried tomatoes, pickles, French fries, and bread for a complete meal.

Recipe Summary

To make Persian Cutlet, Grate a large onion and squeeze out the juice. Grate potatoes and combine them with the onion. Add ground beef, an egg, some flour (all-purpose or chickpea), salt, pepper, and turmeric to the bowl. Mix everything gently until just combined; add more flour if the mixture is too loose. Shape the mixture into palm-sized patties. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the patties over medium to low heat until they are crispy and golden brown on both sides, ensuring they are cooked through. Serve the cutlets with sides like fried tomatoes, pickles, and French fries.