Jali Kebab: A Bangladeshi Specialty Coated In Biscuits!
Image Credit: Photo: Crumbs & Crisps

Jali kebab is a dish that is popular in Bangladesh, as it has been around for many decades. In this recipe, we use an egg mixture to create the effect of a thin ‘net’ on the surface of the kebab, which is called ‘jali’. Although traditionally, the kebabs are coated in egg and biscuits before being fried, in this recipe, we make use of bread crumbs instead of biscuits. This ensures that the savoury element is intact. However, you may coat these kebabs with biscuits, too. Making jali kebab is a great way to add variety to the dinner table when all you have are the classics such as shammi, hara bhara and dahi ke kebab. You can serve the kebabs with salad, or eat it along with naan or rice as a main course as well. During Ramadan, jali kebabs often make an appearance on the dining table, when friends and family gather together for Iftar — which is the tradition of breaking the fast at sunset.

   

Here’s how you can make jali kebab - 

INGREDIENTS 

1 onion, chopped 

200 grams minced chicken  

3-4 black peppercorns 

1 tablespoon cumin seeds 

1-2 dried red chillis  

1 tablespoon fennel seeds 

1 tablespoon coriander seeds 

1-2 green cardamom seeds  

1 tablespoon garam masala 

1 tablespoon coriander leaves  

1/2 tablespoon ginger garlic paste 

1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder 

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder 

1 slice bread, soaked 

1 cup breadcrumbs/crushed biscuits 

1 egg, beaten  

Salt, to taste 

METHOD 

  • In a pan, dry-roast seeds: cumin, fennel, coriander, dry red chillis, cardamom along with peppercorns. Blend. 
  • In a bowl, combine the dry-roasted spices along with ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander leaves, nutmeg powder, minced chicken along soaked bread.  
  • Scoop some of the mixture out, and using your palms, roll it into a ball.  
  • Pat the ball in the centre to flatten it.  
  • Now coat it in beaten egg, roll it in breadcrumbs and re-coat in egg again.  
  • Drop the kebab in oil. While it’s frying, take some of that egg mixture and make some criss-cross patterns on the kebab to give it the jali effect.   

We hope that you’ll enjoy this recipe!