Recipes by Rupa Sethu

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Tikkis

A ‘tikki’ (pronounced ‘tick key’) is an Indian snack or appetizer that is typically made with potatoes and looks like a mini cutlet. Aloo Tikkis as they are called, are usually served with either a green cilantro-mint chutney or a sweet and sour tamarind-date chutney. Unlike the western counterparts, these do not use eggs for binding. Instead, typically, the recipes will have some mashed potatoes and some sort of flour like corn starch, chick pea flour or rice flour to bind all the ingredients together. I have updated the traditional recipe by using beetroots for color and goat cheese for some tangy flavor. I have also eliminated the usual pan frying and opted to bake in the oven instead. Enjoy these absolutely stunning Beetroot and Goat Cheese Tikkis!

Ingredients

  • 2 medium potatoes, boiled and peeled
  • 2 medium red beets, cooked and peeled
  • onion, finely chopped
  • ginger, minced
  • garlic, minced
  • 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
  • cilantro, finely chopped
  • goat cheese
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • semolina for coating the tikkis (or bread crumbs)

Method

  • Add the onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies, and cilantro to a large mixing bowl.
  • Mash the boiled potatoes and add to the bowl.
  • Grate the beets and add to the bowl.
  • Now mix in all the spices and the corn starch. Use your hands to mix all the ingredients together.
  • Then add in the goat cheese in about 1 tbsp chunks and gently fold in. You want to see big bits of goat cheese in the mixture.
  • Shape into little mini cutlets (about 2 inch diameter). Gently coat with semolina or bread crumbs and arrange in a parchment lined sheet pan. Put the tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the tikkis set.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray the tikkis with oil and bake for about 20-30 minutes till the tikkis are brown. Start checking after 20 min since ovens do vary.

Serve the beetroot and goat cheese tikkis as a delicious finger food. You can also choose to serve them with a Tamarind Date Chutney – although to be honest these are great as they are!