Bun Kabab
A home-style recipe for Bun Kabab. Makes 6 bun kababs, ready in about 50 minutes, with steps for the usual way and for the air fryer.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (100 g) chana daal, washed and soaked for 1 hour
- 250 g mince (qeema), beef or mutton
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 4 black peppercorns, 2 cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chillies and a handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt
- About ½ cup oil, for shallow frying
- 6 burger buns
- 1 onion, in thin rings
- Imli or green chutney, to serve
Missing something?
- No burger buns? Use bread slices or roti.
- No mince (qeema)? Use finely chopped chicken or soya granules.
- No eggs? Use paneer or firm tofu in curries and rice dishes.
- No onion? Use spring onions, or a little onion powder (less depth).
- No chana daal? Use another daal (cooking time changes).
The usual way: fried
- Drain the daal and put it in a pot with the qeema, ginger-garlic paste, salt, chilli, cumin, whole spices and 2 cups water.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 25–30 minutes, until the daal is soft. Uncover and cook on high heat until completely dry.
- Pick out the cinnamon, then grind or mash the mixture to a smooth paste. Cool for a few minutes.
- Mix in the chopped onion, green chillies and coriander, and shape into 6 flat patties.
- Heat the oil on medium heat. Dip each patty in the egg and fry for 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden.
- Warm the buns on a tawa with a little oil. Spread with chutney and add a kabab and onion rings.
Tip: The mixture must be fully dry before grinding, or the patties fall apart. The soaking isn't included in the time.
In the air fryer (about 40 min)
- Make patties from boiled qeema and chana daal with onion and spices and dip in egg.
- Spray with oil and air fry at 190°C for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden.
- Serve in a bun with chutney and onion.
Air fryer basics: Heat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes first. Don't fill the basket more than halfway. Brush or spray a little oil. Turn or shake halfway. Use paper liners with holes. Air fryers vary, so check a few minutes early the first time.