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Potato, Paneer, and Sweet Corn Kebab

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Sweet corn kebabs with potato and paneer.
Photo by Issy Croker

Seekh kebabs are such a popular item on the menus of grilled dishes at street stalls and restaurants. This vegetarian version of the seekh kebab is one of my absolute favorites and is equally as delicious as any meat kebab. Sweet corn, carrots, potato, and paneer are combined with a classic kebab masala, including cardamom, black pepper, and dried mango powder. I have cooked these kebabs in a griddle pan, although you can also shallow fry them until they are evenly golden all over.

This recipe was excerpted from ‘Tandoori Home Cooking’ by Maunika Gowardhan, one of our top cookbooks of 2023. Buy the full book on Amazon.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, plus extra for grilling
1 tsp. cumin seeds
2 in. ginger root, finely chopped
2 green bird’s-eye chiles, finely chopped
120 g (4½ oz.) carrots, peeled and finely diced
150 g (5¼ oz.) canned, drained sweet corn
1 Tbsp. ground coriander
½ tsp. garam masala
150 g (5¼ oz.) potato, peeled, boiled, cooled, and coarsely grated
70 g (2½ oz.) paneer, finely grated
1 heaped tsp. dried mango powder
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
2 Tbsp. finely chopped mint leaves
2 Tbsp. chickpea (gram) flour
1 Tbsp. breadcrumbs
Salt, to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and, as they begin to splutter, add the ginger and fry for 30 seconds, then add the green chiles. Stir well, add the carrots and cook for 4–5 minutes. Add the sweet corn, stir well and fry for 2 minutes. Add the ground coriander and garam masala, turn off the heat and leave to cool completely.

    Step 2

    Once cool, blend the carrot and sweet corn mixture in a blender to a coarse, dry mix—do not add any water. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the grated potato, paneer, dried mango powder, ground cardamom, cilantro leaves and mint leaves. Season to taste and add the chickpea (gram) flour along with the breadcrumbs. Mix well. Shape into 6 sausages and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

    Step 3

    Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Lightly brush the kebabs with a little oil. Cook in the hot pan for 2 minutes on each side until lightly charred and evenly browned all over. Serve with roti, green chutney, and salad.

Tandoori Home Cooking-COVER.jpg
 Excerpted with permission from Tandoori Home Cooking by Maunika Gowardhan. Published by Hardie Grant Publishing, June 2023. Buy the full book from Amazon or Hardie Grant Publishing.
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