Melt-in-your-mouth mutton and lentil patties, infused with aromatic whole spices and pan-fried to a perfect golden-brown. A classic Mughlai appetizer that's rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
Prep25 min
Cook50 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
424cal
31gprotein
22gcarbs
Ingredients
500 g Boneless Mutton (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
0.5 cup Chana Dal (Rinsed and soaked for at least 1 hour)
1 medium Onion (Roughly chopped, for pressure cooking)
A quintessential Mughlai flatbread, Saffron Sheermal is a mildly sweet, soft, and leavened bread enriched with milk, ghee, and the luxurious aroma of saffron. Its name, derived from the Persian words 'sheer' (milk) and 'mal' (to rub), reflects its rich, tender texture. Traditionally cooked in a tandoor, this home-style version on a tawa yields a delightful bread perfect for pairing with rich curries like Nihari or Korma.
A vibrant and refreshing Indian condiment made with fresh mint, cilantro, and a hint of spice. This classic green chutney, also known as Pudina Chutney, is the perfect zesty accompaniment for samosas, chaat, kebabs, and sandwiches.
About Mutton Shami Kebab, Saffron Sheermal and Mint Chutney
Melt-in-mouth Shami Kebabs with soft Sheermal & tangy mint chutney - protein-packed delight!
This mughlai and awadhi dish is perfect for breakfast or dinner. With 844.16 calories and 39.86g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
24gfat
1 pcs
Black Cardamom
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder (Adjust to taste)
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 cup Water (For pressure cooking)
3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Finely chopped)
2 tbsp Mint Leaves (Finely chopped)
1 large Egg (Lightly beaten, for binding)
0.25 cup Ghee (For shallow frying)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Mutton and Dal
In a pressure cooker, combine the mutton pieces, drained chana dal, roughly chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and all whole spices (dried red chillies, cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, black cardamom).
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt, and 1 cup of water. Stir well to combine.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium-high heat for 6-7 whistles, or for about 25 minutes, until the mutton is fall-apart tender.
Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the lid.
2
Dry and Cool the Mixture
Open the cooker. Check the mixture; if there is any remaining liquid, turn the heat to high and cook, stirring constantly, until all moisture has evaporated. The mixture should be very dry and pull away from the sides of the cooker.
Turn off the heat. Spread the cooked mixture onto a large plate or tray to cool down completely. This step is crucial for preventing the kebabs from breaking.
Once cooled, pick out and discard the hard whole spices like the cinnamon stick and black cardamom pod for a smoother texture.
3
Grind and Prepare the Kebab Dough
Transfer the completely cooled mixture to a food processor or a strong grinder. Grind in batches to a fine, smooth paste without adding any water. The resulting texture should be like a firm, non-sticky dough.
Transfer the ground paste to a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped small onion, coriander leaves, mint leaves, and the lightly beaten egg.
Knead the mixture gently with your hands until everything is well incorporated.
4
Shape and Fry the Kebabs
Lightly grease your palms with oil or ghee. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions.
Take one portion and roll it into a smooth ball, then flatten it into a round patty (tikki), about 2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Smooth out any cracks on the edges.
Heat ghee in a non-stick skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. The ghee should be hot but not smoking.
Carefully place the shaped kebabs in the pan in a single layer, without overcrowding. Fry for 4-5 minutes on the first side until deep golden-brown and crisp.
Gently flip the kebabs using two spatulas and fry for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until equally browned and cooked through.
Remove the kebabs and place them on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess ghee.
5
Serve Hot
Serve the Mutton Shami Kebabs immediately while they are hot and crisp.
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with a side of green mint-coriander chutney, lemon wedges, and pickled onion rings (sirke wale pyaaz).
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
399cal
8gprotein
56gcarbs
15gfat
Ingredients
2 cup All-Purpose Flour (Also known as Maida)
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Should be lukewarm, about 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
4 tbsp Ghee (Melted and divided)
2 tbsp Sugar (Use granulated sugar)
0.25 tsp Saffron Strands (A generous pinch)
1 tsp Instant Yeast
0.5 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Kewra Water (Optional, for authentic fragrance)
Instructions
1
Bloom Saffron & Activate Yeast (10 minutes)
In a small bowl, take 2 tablespoons of the warm milk and add the saffron strands. Let it soak to release its color and aroma.
In a separate, larger bowl, combine the remaining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and set aside for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and active.
2
Prepare the Dough (15 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
Add 3 tablespoons of melted ghee to the flour. Using your fingertips, rub the ghee into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Pour the frothy yeast mixture, the saffron-infused milk, and the optional kewra water into the flour mixture.
Combine everything to form a shaggy dough, then transfer to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for 10-12 minutes by hand (or 7-8 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
3
Proof the Dough (60-90 minutes)
Form the kneaded dough into a smooth ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4
Shape the Sheermals (10 minutes)
Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air.
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-inch round or oval disc, about 1/4-inch thick.
Thoroughly prick the entire surface of each disc with a fork. This is crucial to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
5
Cook the Sheermals (15 minutes)
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan (tawa) or a non-stick skillet over low-medium heat.
Place one shaped sheermal on the hot tawa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the underside has light golden-brown spots.
Flip the sheermal, cover the pan with a lid, and continue to cook on low heat for another 3-4 minutes. The trapped steam helps cook it through and keeps it soft.
Remove from the pan and repeat the process for the remaining dough portions.
6
Glaze and Serve (2 minutes)
As soon as each sheermal is cooked, immediately brush it generously with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted ghee.
Serve warm with rich curries like korma, nihari, or enjoy on its own.
2 tablespoon Roasted Chana Dal (Acts as a thickener)
2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)
0.75 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste)
0.5 teaspoon Black Salt (Also known as Kala Namak)
0.5 teaspoon Sugar (Optional, to balance flavors)
3 tablespoon Ice Cold Water (Or use ice cubes, add as needed for consistency)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Herbs (4 minutes)
Thoroughly rinse the mint and cilantro leaves under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit.
Pluck the mint leaves from their tough stems; discard the stems as they can be bitter.
For the cilantro, you can use the tender stems along with the leaves as they are full of flavor. Roughly chop the bunch.
Gently pat the herbs dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess water.
2
Combine Ingredients in Blender (1 minute)
Place the prepared mint leaves, cilantro, green chilies (start with one for less heat), chopped ginger, roasted chana dal, lemon juice, salt, black salt, and sugar into a small, high-speed blender jar.
3
Blend to a Smooth Paste (3 minutes)
Add 2-3 tablespoons of ice-cold water or a couple of ice cubes. Using cold water is crucial to prevent the herbs from oxidizing and helps retain their vibrant green color.
Blend for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the jar with a spatula as needed, until you achieve a smooth, uniform paste.
If the chutney is too thick, add more cold water, 1 teaspoon at a time, and blend again until you reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to make it too watery.
