LENTIL CUTLETS

LENTIL CUTLETS
Lentil cutlets are somewhat similar to lentil or bean burgers. This is a healthy substitution for potato cutlets or aloo tikkis, especially for people watching their carbs. I shallow fried the cutlets instead of deep frying them. I made these cutlets with whole toor dhal. Any types of lentils or beans can be used here.

INGREDIENTS:
1. Any types of lentils or beans, 1 cup, soaked overnight if beans are used.
2. Red onion, large, 1.
3. Chili powder, 1 teaspoon.
4. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon.
5. Dried herbs like mint, parsley, ¼ teaspoon of each.
6. Cilantro, chopped finely, ½ cup.
7. Salt as per taste.
8. All-purpose flour, ½ cup.
9. Whole wheat bread crumbs, 1-1/2 to 2cups.

PREPARATION:
Cook the lentils or the beans until they are tender and drain out the excess water from them and mash them well. A blender can also be used for mashing. Dice the onion finely. Heat a pan with some oil and add the diced onions. Sauté them for a few minutes until they are tender. Now add the sautéed onions to the mashed lentils. Then add ginger-garlic paste, dried herbs, cilantro, salt, chili powder, cilantro and mix everything well. Make small patties out them and keep aside. Take the flour in a small bowl, add ¼ cup water and make a batter. Take the bread crumbs in a pan. Heat a flat bottomed pan with ¼ cup of oil. Create a work station arranging the plate with the patties first, the bowl with the flour batter next, and the bread crumbs plate next to that. When the pan is hot enough, take a patty and immerse it in the flour batter. Then put it on the bread crumbs plate and cover the patty with the bread crumbs and put it on the hot pan. Repeat the same with a few more patties until the pan is covered. There should be some space between the cutlets while cooking to move them around. Let then cook for 5-7 minutes until the side facing the pan is golden-brown and crisp. Flip all the patties to the other side and let them cook for another 5 minutes. Repeat the same with the remaining patties and serve the hot cutlets hot with tomato sauce.