CRAB CUTLET

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Cutlet is a delicious crispy snack made with flavourful filling of mashed potatoes, vegetables or meat blended with aromatic spices and herbs. They are shaped into patties, coated with breadcrumbs, and shallow-fried until crisp and crunchy on the outside while remaining soft and flavourful inside.

Cutlets are generally made with vegetables or soya chunks for vegetarian/vegan version, and with chicken, mutton, fish, crab and prawns for non-vegetarian version. Mashed potatoes are the base for any variation of cutlet. Each variation has its unique taste and flavour to it.

Crab cutlet is a popular seafood variation of cutlet. It is made using fresh crab meat, mashed potatoes, onions, herbs and aromatic spices. The mixture is shaped into pattice, coated with breadcrumbs, and then fried until golden and crispy on the outside.

Crab cutlet is commonly served as a starter or appetizer with GREEN CHUTNEY, TARTAR SAUCE, ketchup or any other spicy dip.

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

I’ve used 3 whole medium size crab and 2 whole medium size potatoes for this recipe. The meat from the crab is usually removed by boiling them. Equal quantity of the mashed potatoes and the crab meat are generally preferred for this recipe.The pattice won’t hold its shape, if it has too much of meat. And, the cutlet tastes like potato cutlet when too much of mashed potatoes are added to it.

INGREDIENTS FOR CRAB CUTLET:

• CRAB (MEDIUM SIZE) – 3 NOS. (OR) 1 CUP OF COOKED MEAT
• POTATOES (MEDIUM SIZE) – 2 NOS. (OR) 1 CUP OF MASHED POTATO
• ONIONS (MEDIUM SIZE/CHOPPED) – 2 NOS.
• CHILLY POWDER – 1 TBSP
• SALT – AS REQUIRED
• CORIANDER LEAVES (FINELY CHOPPED) – 2 TBSP
• OIL – FOR FRYING (2 CUPS)
• CORNSTARCH – 2 TBSP
• BREADCRUMBS – 2 CUPS

HOW TO MAKE CRAB CUTLET:

• Clean the crab and add it to the cooking pot.

• Add enough water to boil the crab. I’ve added around 1 litre of water to it.

• Turn ON the flame, and let it boil for 12 to 15 minutes.

• After about 12 to 15 minutes, turn OFF the flame.

• Remove the cooked crab and separate the meat from the shells.

• Meanwhile, cut the potatoes into half and add it to the pressure cooker along with 1/2 litre of water.

• Cover it and cook it for 3 whistles. After 3 whistles turn OFF the flame.
• Once the pressure is released completely, open the lid. Peel the skin of the potatoes and mash them.

• In a mixing bowl, add the crab meat and the mashed potatoes.

• Also, add the chopped onions, chilly powder, salt and coriander leaves to it.

• Mix it well. It should have a dough like consistency.

• Divide them into small portions, roll them and gently press them. Tap the edges and shape them.
• Repeat the process with the remaining mixture.

• Add 2 tbsp of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water to a mixing bowl, and mix it really well to form a cornstarch slurry. Also, spread 2 cups of breadcrumbs over a plate.
• Dip the prepared patties into the cornstarch slurry. The patties should be coated really well on all sides.

• Then add the patties coated in cornstarch slurry to the breadcrumbs.

• Coat it really well with the breadcrumbs on all sides, and transfer it to a plate.

• Repeat the process with the remaining prepared patties, and keep them ready for frying.

• Once the patties are ready. Heat an pan, and add 2 cups of oil to it. Maintain the flame at medium-high.
• Once the oil is heated, gently add the prepared patties to it. Fry them in batches. Do not overcrowd.

• Once it start to turn light golden brown on one side, turn them and fry it until it turns golden brown on both sides.

• Once it turns golden brown on both sides, filter the oil and transfer it to a plate wth paper towel on it. This helps to remove the excess oil.

• Repeat the process with the remaining prepared patties.

YUMMY AND DELICIOUS CRAB CUTLET IS READY.

VARIATIONS:

• The amount of chilly powder added can be adjusted according to our preference.
• Finely chopped green chillies can also be used for a little extra spiciness.
• Medium diced or finely chopped onions are preferred for this recipe.
• I’ve used homemade chilly powder for this recipe. This chilly powder has turmeric added to it. Add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, if you use plain red chilly powder.
• The potatoes can also be boiled using a cooking pot. Add the potato and water to a cooking pot and boil them for 20 to 25 minutes.

NOTE:

The patties coated with the breadcrumbs, can be stored in the freezer for about 1 month. It can be thawed and fried when needed. Make sure to store them in a clean airtight container.