Minced Lamb and Lentil Patties

Shami Kebab Recipe - Makes 8 large or 24 cocktail size patties
	Ingredients: 750 g (1 1/2 lb) finely minced lamb 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 tablespoons yellow split peas (mattar dhal) or red lentils (masoor dhal) - Spices - 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger 11/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic salt to taste 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 1 tablespoon yoghurt or thick cream 1 small egg, beaten ghee or oil for shallow frying Filling: 1 fresh green chilli, seeded and finely chopped 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro I spring onion, including green leaves 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
Put lamb, onion, dhal, ginger, garlic, salt and water into a heavy saucepan and bring io the boll. stirring. Cover and mok over low heat until meat. lentils and onions are soft, about 45 minutes. Then uncover and cook, stirring now and then, until all the liquid has been absorbed. This may take at least I hour. Leave to cool, then mix in the garam masala and yoghurt or cream. Add I tablespoon of beaten egg and mix well. If mixture is not too moist add more of the beaten egg. Knead very well for I 0 minutes or until mixture is completely smooth.Divide into 8 portions and form each into a flat circle. Put 14 teaspoonful of filling in the middle. close the meat mixture around it, pinching edges together. Flatten gently to form a small round patty. Shallow fry on a heavy griddle or frying pan lighth greased with ghee or oil. Serve hot. If serving these as cocktail snacks and making them bite-size, it is easier not to use a filling but to serve with mint chutney from our Chutney section for dipping.