kappa cutlets

Recipe Ingredients
2 teaspoons Turmeric
2/3 lb Cassava root
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Mustard seed
2 Fresh curry leaves
3 Onions - finely sliced (medium)
2 x Green chiles - finely chopped
1 x Fresh ginger - (1"), finely chopped
1 cup Fresh bread crumbs - generous
Oil - for deep-frying
Salt and pepper
Recipe Instructions

Prep: Peel the cassava root and into small chunks.

1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add 1 teaspoon of the turmeric, a pinch of salt and the cassava. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes until soft. Drain the cassava of all but 3 tablespoons of the cooking liquid and roughly mash together.

2. In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil. Add the mustard seeds and curry leaves and cook for 1 minute until the seeds begin to pop. Add the onions, remaining turmeric, chiles and ginger. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and caramelized. Add the mashed cassava and stir well to combine.

3. Using wet hands, shape 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a ball, then flatten slightly. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make 12 cutlets. Brush each cutlet with a little water and press into the bread crumbs until evenly coated.

4. Heat the oil for deep-frying in a large pan or wok until a cube of bread turns golden in 60 seconds. Cook the cutlets, in batches, for 2-3 minutes until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper and keep hot while you cook the rest. Serve hot with a fresh coconut chutney.


NOTE: Cassava is a regular ingredient of many Keralan dishes. There are bitter and sweet varieties of cassava, both of which should be eaten only when cooked. Use in place of potato; it has the same texture (but looks very similar to a yam)