I am running late! The guests arrive in about an hour for cocktails, and I still have to shower and get ready. I have decided this morning to add meat tikkas to my long list of items for the cocktail party this evening. If you live in a military camp or cantonment area with your squadron or unit, you end up hosting, at the very least, one cocktail and one dinner party a month. Since it is on a reciprocal basis, you end up attending several in a month!
With everyone being so close-knit, you cannot leave anyone out for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. You invariably end up with at least 40 people at each party. If you are stationed in a big city, it is different because with distances, the pace slows down, and it is easier to meet at clubs or restaurants.
I instruct the cook as to how I want the meat tikkas finished and plated. She tells me to go get ready she will take care of it. I think she hates me hovering around!!
The table is already set with all the other snacks. The bar is stocked, the ice is ready in the bucket, and the glasses for the drinks and soft drinks are all laid out. The fresh flowers from the garden make a beautiful centerpiece. Everything looks in order. My husband is at the bar reorganizing his stock of liquor. I rush to get ready.
Tikkas in India can be chunks of marinated meat or ground meat or mashed vegetables seasoned with spices and shaped into cutlets.
Masala Kheema Tikka is a savory blend of onions, ginger, garlic, and spices formed into patties and grilled.
Masala Kheema Tikkas (Spicy Mince Patties)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (30 % fat gives you a nice juicy tikka)
- ½ large onion (minced fine)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1½ tbsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
- 1 Serrano chili (finely chopped - optional, to your taste)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp chili powder (or to your taste)
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- ⅛ tsp clove powder
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp dried green mango powder (amchur)
- 1 tbsp oil
Garnish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp chaat masala (optional)
- ¼ small onion (sliced)
- 1 green chili (whole or split in half)
- 1 lemon (sliced thin or quartered)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with all the other ingredients except lemon juice, chaat masala, and oil.
- Knead until the ground beef mixture is well blended. About 4-5 minutes.
- Divide the ground beef mixture into golf-sized balls and form them into round burger-style patties. You should get about 8-10. I size them less than the regular burger size, but you can size them any way you want.
- Set aside in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. You can also leave it overnight if you want to prep ahead.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet, griddle, or grill on medium heat. Grease with the oil using a paper towel or brush.
- Place the tikkas on them and cook for approximately 8 mins, turning them halfway through until well browned and cooked. I like mine well done, so I tend to char them a bit!
- Place on paper towels to soak up any excess oil or fat.
- Move them to a serving dish and sprinkle them with a little lemon juice and chaat masala powder.
- Garnish with chopped lemon and slices of red, white, or vinegared onions.
- Serve with mint chutney, mint yogurt chutney, or a chili sauce, along with tandoori or naan bread, paratha, or roti. You can also use pita or any other flatbread.
Notes
I occasionally fix our family Indian-style burgers with hamburger buns, chutney, thinly sliced raw or grilled onions, and tomatoes.
Make them a little smaller when serving them for cocktails. Adjust your cooking time accordingly.
You can add a teaspoon of store-bought tandoori or seekh kebab spice powders. These are available at an Indian grocery store. Most readymade powders are super chili hot, so use them carefully if you are not used to chili-heat.
The tikkas can be grilled or baked in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until done. Be sure to flip them halfway through.
You can also Air Fry them. Spray the Air Fryer tray or basket with oil. Heat for 5 minutes. Place tikkas on a basket or tray and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning them midway.
Heat varies on stoves, ovens, and fryers, so keep an eye on the tikkas to ensure they do not get burned.