Shami Kebabs
Nikhat Jafri
Servings: 24
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Wash the halal beef thoroughly until the water runs clear.
In a large pot, add the halal beef cubes and pour in 4 cups of water.
Add the cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, ginger/garlic paste, fennel seeds, chili powder, onions, chana daal, garam masala, and salt.
Cook the mixture on medium heat for about 30 minutes until the meat is tender and the mixture is thick, but not too dry. If needed, add more water and cook for an additional 5 minutes on low heat.
Once the meat is tender, use a handheld mixer to grind the mixture into a homogenous mixture.
Mix in 2 eggs thoroughly to bind the batter.
On a cutting board, chop the onion, green chilies, ginger, and cilantro. Transfer them to a bowl.
Add ½ teaspoon of salt and squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon. Mix everything well.
Wet your palms with water and take a fistful of the meat batter. Flatten it into a small cup shape in your hand. Place ½ a spoonful of the chopped filling inside the cup, then close and gently flatten it into a patty, making sure there are no creases where the filling can escape.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat to shallow fry the kebabs.
Place the kebabs in the skillet, but do not overcrowd the pan. Turn them gently with a flat spatula until both sides are golden brown.
Remove the fried kebabs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Enjoy the Shami Kebabs with parathas.
You can also freeze them before frying them to save them for another day.