Baked Lentil Kebabs

September 1, 2021mayurisjikoni

EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY

THEME: KABAB TIME

RECIPE: BAKED LENTIL KEBABS

Baked Lentil Kebabs with flavours from the Middle East and the Indian Sub Continent are soft, delectable and easy to make. In brief, these kebabs make a wonderful starter and are easy to make. Also nutritious and best part is that they are gluten free and vegan. Serve them with any chutney or dip of your choice.

What Are Kebabs?

In fact, Kebabs are known by several different names all sounding the same – kebaps, kababs, kebob, kabobs.  Indeed, Kebabs originate from the Middle East where chunks of marinated meat and vegetables are strung on skewers and cooked over charcoal grills. As a matter of fact, the word kebab in Arabic means grilled or broiled meat. In the olden days there were no fancy bamboo skewers or metal ones. Soldiers used their swords to string the meat pieces and grilled it over open fire.

Then, there are doner kebabs where long strips of meat are carefully layered around a big skewer, roasted. The outer cooked meat is carefully sliced and served while the exposed part gets roasted.

Kebabs And The Indian Sub Continent

In general, when it comes to the Indian Sub Continent, kebabs take on a whole different meaning. Mostly, ground meat is used. Spices, chopped onion, garlic, ginger and chilis are added. Then, the mixture is shaped around a skewer or shaped into discs or oval. Next, the kebabs are then cooked in a tandoor or fried.

Generally, strung pieces of meat and vegetables on skewers are cooked in a tandoor, roasted in the oven or on a skillet. Usually, they are referred to as tikka.

By the way, some of the most popular kebabs are shammi kebab, reshmi kebabs, chapli kebabs, kalmi, paneer, boti, seekh, hariyali, galouti, shikampur.

In brief, it is believed that kebabs originated in the Turkish kitchens, and were brought to the Indian Sub Continent by the Afghans. Kebabs became popular during the Mughal Era.

During the rule of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, his cooks took kebabs to a whole new level. In fact, the ruler had bad teeth but yearned for kebabs. As a result, the royal cooks of Lucknow developed melt in the mouth kind of kebabs which till today are a must have if one visits Lucknow.

Did you know that the famous kakori kebabs were named after the famous Independence Movement against the British Rule  -Kakori Conspiracy of 1925? The normal seekh kebabs became much softer and more aromatic.

Kebabs For Vegetarians

Not to be left out, cooks came up with recipes whereby Vegetarian Rulers and guests could enjoy kebabs. Vegetarian kebabs are made with vegetables, paneer, thick yogurt, roots, corn, tapioca pearls, lentils, beans, etc.

Surprisingly, I don’t have that many kebab recipes on the blog. Perhaps because sometimes it becomes difficult to differentiate between veg kebabs and tikkis or pattis.

The Few Recipe I Have, You Might Want To Check Them Out:

Lentil and Carrot Kebabs

Hara Bhara Kebabs, made from paneer, peas, spinach and potatoes.

Veg Kebab Paratha – famous street food from Uttar Pradesh.

How Are Baked Lentil Kebabs Served?

  • Specifically, Kebabs can be served as starters or appetizers with various chutneys and dips. Sometimes they are served with flatbread as part of a meal.
  • In fact, some kebabs were left over, and next day I warmed them up and used them to make a pita sandwich.
  • Actually, it is a good way to get kids to enjoy lentils. Don’t make the kebabs spicy.

A bit about the group:

In brief, every month a new theme is chosen by members. Furthermore, the participants are paired up. In turn, they give each other 2 secret ingredients to use in their recipe which is prepared fitting the theme. As soon as their dish is ready, the photo is shared on our Facebook group. Afterwards, the others try and guess the secret ingredients. Towards the end of the month the recipe is shared on the group. Furthermore, this way members get to know each other and interact with each other.

This Month’s Theme

This Month’s Theme, KABAB TIME, is suggested by Sujata who blogs at Batter Up With Sujata. In short, her suggestion was to make any kebabs Indian or International. I have a long list of vegetarian kebabs I want to try out. Especially would love to try out Sujata’s Green Gram Kabab. For this theme she made soft, melt in the mouth Veg Galouti Kabab. Since they are pan fried, going to try out the recipe soon.

My Partner

This month, I was teamed up with Swaty. Her blog Food Trails is a treasure trove of both Indian and International Recipes. I’ve tried out her Smashed Potato Chaat and Bajra Methi Poori, and they both turned out so delicious. My family loved both the recipes. I love suran (elephant yam) and can’t wait to try out her Chana Dal and Yam Kebabs.

Relating to the theme, I gave Swaty ginger and pesto. Interestingly, with those ingredients she prepared a fusion kebab recipe using raw papaya. Check out her Air Fried Raw Papaya Kebabs Recipe. Overall, addition of cream cheese and pesto definitely make these kebabs mouthwatering. Similarly, she gave me whole masoor and za’atar. Using those ingredients I decided to make Baked Lentil Kebabs.

Ingredients Required For Baked Lentil Kebabs

  • Puy Lentils – known as abut masoor. Here whole lentils and not the split one is used. Best to soak the lentils for at least 3-4 hours for soft kebabs.
  • Potato – boiled, peeled and mashed.
  • Oats – I used quick oats as I didn’t have a food processor to process it into flour.
  • Chickpea Flour – besan, chana no lot. Helps to bind the mixture.
  • Semolina – actually helps to soak up excess liquid from cooked lentils and helps to make the outer part a bit crispy.
  • Oil – required to brush the tray and the kebabs.
  • Garlic – peeled and minced. Add according to your taste.
  • Onion – peeled and finely chopped. Use white, red or yellow.
  • Ginger – peeled and grated or minced.
  • Chillis – finely chopped or minced. Add according to your taste.
  • Fresh Dill – finely chopped
  • Fresh Coriander – finely chopped
  • Za’atar – I added za’atar to give that different taste. If you don’t have any, omit it.
  • Sumac – I added sumac to give that different taste. If you don’t have any, replace it with amchur or dried mango powder.
  • Pepper Powder
  • Lemon Juice 
  • Salt – add according to your taste.

 

For The Dip:

  • Yogurt – plain thick yogurt
  • Fresh Coriander – chopped finely
  • Salt 
  • Pepper
  • Lemon Juice

For Vegans use either vegan yogurt or make Chutneys. 

 

Check Out The Video For The Whole Process:

 

 

 

Baked Lentil Kebabs

mayurisjikoni
Baked Lentil Kebabs with flavours from the Middle East and the Indian Sub Continent are soft, delectable and easy to make. In brief, these kebabs make a wonderful starter and are easy to make. Also nutritious and best part is that they are gluten free and vegan. Serve them with any chutney or dip of your choice.
5 from 16 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Soaking Time: 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack, Starter
Cuisine fusion
Servings 32 small pieces

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup puy lentils/ masoor
  • 1 cup mashed potato
  • ¼ cup quick cooking oats
  • 2 tbsp chickpea flour
  • 2 tbsp semolina
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ginger minced
  • 1-2 green chillis finely chopped
  • 1-1½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh coriander chopped
  • 2 tbsp za'atar spice mixture
  • 1 tsp sumac
  • ½ tsp pepper powder coarse
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • oil for brushing

FOR THE ZA'ATAR YOGURT DIP:

  • cups plain yogurt thick
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup fresh coriander chopped
  • ¼ tsp pepper powder
  • 1 tsp za'atar spice mixture
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

SOAK AND COOK THE LENTIL

  • Soak the lentil in enough water for at least 4- 6 hours.
  • Cook the lentils in about 2-3 cups of water till done.
  • If any water is left, drain it out into a bowl. Save it to use for soups.
  • Allow the lentil to cool down a bit.

PREPARATION OF THE KEBAB MIXTURE

  • Add the cooked lentils in a big mixing bowl.
  • Add all the other ingredients.
  • Mix very well and taste. Add any more spices, salt or lemon juice if you wish.

SHAPING THE KEBABS

  • Wet your hands with water, take about a tablespoonful of the mixture and shape it.
  • I made them into small oval flattish shapes. You can shape them round discs or even press the mixture around skewers.
  • If you are going to use wooden skewers then you nedd to soak them in water for at least 2 hours. If you're using metal ones, then grease them.
  • Brush the baking tray with some oil or line it with some parchment paper or foil.
  • Arrange the shaped kebabs on the tray.

BAKING THE KEBABS

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  • Bake the kebabs for 15 minutes.
  • Take the tray out of the oven.
  • Turn the kebabs over. Brush the tops again.
  • Bake for 15 -20 minutes till the kebabs are golden brown on top.
  • Serve hot kebabs with your favourite dip or chutney.

PREPARATION OF ZA'ATAR YOGURT DIP:

  • Mix all the dip ingredients in a bowl till it is smooth and creamy.

Notes

  • Don't allow the lentils to become mushy.
  • Add less oats if the mixture is dryish.
  • Serve kebabs with onion rings, lemon wedges.
  • If you don't have chickpea flour, replace it with any millet flour, cornflour or breadcrumbs.
  • If any liquid is left after cooking the lentils, save it to use for soups, curries or dals.
Keyword baked lentil kebabs, lentil kebab recipe

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
 

34 Comments

  • Kalyani

    September 4, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    5 stars
    these protein rich masoor lentll kebabs are making my mouth water at 5am , mayuri. the kids would love these in their roti rolls / frankies and we would love to have these with some afternoon tea . such an interesting read about the history of kebabs explained so well

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 5, 2021 at 12:29 am

      Thank you so much Kalyani.

  • Sujata Roy

    September 5, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    Baked lentil kebab looks fabulous Mayuri. Protein enriched whole masoor and oats made it a nutritious snack. I would love to have it with rumali roti. Loved reading details about Kabab. Can’t wait to try.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 10, 2021 at 10:13 pm

      Thank you so much Sujata. Loved the theme you suggested and as a result the family got to enjoy these kebabs.

  • Shobha Keshwani

    September 6, 2021 at 11:40 pm

    5 stars
    Mayuri these lentil kababs look so tasty. Love the cute bite sized ones. easy to serve in a party too. I love Middle Eastern dishes a lot. Zaatar and sumac must have lent a lovely flavour to these kababs.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 7, 2021 at 12:19 am

      Thank you so much Shobha, I made them for a dinner when we invited my son’s friends over and they loved them. A bit of the usual taste from onion garlic ginger and chilis and the za’atar and sumac.

  • Preeti Shridhar

    September 7, 2021 at 1:15 am

    5 stars
    These protein rich baked kababs flavoured with zatar and sumac look so delicious. So far I have used Zatar only in breads. Now I know, where else I can use it. Loved the addition of oats to kababs.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 7, 2021 at 5:01 am

      Thank you so much Preeti. I use za’atar in salads too. The oats not only add nutritional value but soak up the extra moisture.

  • Jayashree T.Rao

    September 11, 2021 at 1:33 am

    5 stars
    Baked lentil kebab looks delicious. Liked the use of masoor dal dal with zatar spice mix . It must be flavoursome. Loved it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 11, 2021 at 11:05 pm

      Thank you so much Jayashree. Masoor dal makes these kebabs soft.

  • Seema Sriram

    September 11, 2021 at 1:37 am

    5 stars
    With the lentils and oats, the kebab is a wholesome meal by itself. I like the flavour of Zatar so will certainly be giving this a huge thumbs up.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 11, 2021 at 11:05 pm

      thank you so much Seema. We defintiely enjoyed the za’atar flavour.. so go ahead and make these kebabs.

  • Renu

    September 11, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    These kebabs with lentils, gram flour and oats are so healthy and bursting with flavours. I would even love to make this as a burger patty and give some wholesome meal to the kids.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 11, 2021 at 11:03 pm

      Thank you Renu, that is actually a perfect idea.

  • Poonam Bachhav

    September 14, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    5 stars
    Baked lentil kebabs with Oats and Za’atar flavor sound super delicious and healthy. Would love to have them in frankie rolls. Perfect party appetizers !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 16, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      Thank you so much Poonam, they would be wonderful as filling for frankie rolls.

  • Swati

    September 15, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    5 stars
    Baked Lentil kebabs look so inviting.. Loved the use of Masoor dal to makes these kebabs which must have added a meaty texture here.. I have never tried zaatar for kebabs and cutlets.. can’t wait to try these melt in mouth looking kebabs in Mediterranean flavours.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 16, 2021 at 3:47 pm

      Thank you so much Swati. This recipe actually turned out a total fusion one for me. Started off by wanting Middle East flavours and added a bit of kick with the chilli and ginger.

  • The Girl Next Door

    September 15, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    5 stars
    The lentil kababs look so delightful! We love whole Black masoor at home, so I’m definitely trying these out. Perfect snack for a cold winter day!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 16, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you so much Priya. Baked Lentil kebabs will be perfect for the winter season. Recently I used them for a burger.

  • Vasusvegkitchen

    September 16, 2021 at 7:23 am

    5 stars
    These baked lentil kebabs looks very tasty and healthy. Loved your presentation, they looks very inviting with za’atar yogurt dip. Both zatar and sumac are new for me, perfect and parties.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 16, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you so much Aruna. Za’atar and Sumac are both ingredients I got introduced to when I went first time to Dubai. Love using them whenever I have them at hand.

  • Anu Kollon

    September 16, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    These baked lentil kababs look absolutely delicious. I imagine how crispy they are from outside. Bookmarked it to try the dish.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 16, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you so much Anu. Please do give a feedback when you try out the recipe.

  • Meera Girdhar

    September 18, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    Mayuri Baked Lentil Kebabs looks amazing. Love the idea of baking kebabs. I never tried and heard about Zatar spices. This is new to me .

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 18, 2021 at 8:35 pm

      Thank you so much Meera, za’atar is quite commonly used in the Middle Eastern dishes. It is a mixture of oregano, thyme, sumac, sesame seeds and sometimes marjoram.

  • preethi’scuisine

    September 19, 2021 at 2:00 am

    5 stars
    Baked Lentil kebab with middle eastern flavors looks absolutely irresistible. Any kebab recipe for me to try soon. Definitely a guilt free and delicious snack. My boys will love it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 19, 2021 at 11:21 pm

      Thank you so much Preethi. Am sure your family will enjoy these kebabs.

  • Sasmita Sahoo

    September 26, 2021 at 4:11 am

    Baked Lentil Kebabs look awesome !!! Love to have these soft, delectable, and easy-to-make kebabs. The nutritious kebab here is gluten-free and vegan too. Definitely, a guilt-free and delicious snack to be served with any chutney …..

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 26, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you so much Sasmita.

  • Priya Vj

    September 27, 2021 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    Nice fusion of kababs with Mediterranean spice mixes. I am sure the whole masoor dhall has given the kabab a wonderful taste and texture .

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 27, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      Thank you so much Priya. The whole masoor gives it a crunchy crust while the crushed ones add to the softness.

  • Narmadha

    September 28, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    Baked lentil kebabs look so inviting and delicious. Love the use of za’atar spice which makes it more flavorful. Perfect appetizer for parties that can be enjoyed guilt-free

    1. mayurisjikoni

      September 29, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      Thank you so much Narmadha. I’ve now made it several times and twice for a small family gathering and it was a hit.

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