The East African Cookbook, by Shereen Jog

The East African Cookbook by Shereen Jog. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Lifestyle. Cape Town, South Africa 2020. ISBN 9781432310349 / ISBN -978-1-43-231034-9

A free recipe from The East African Cookbook by Shereen Jog: KATLESI - SPICY MINCE AND POTATO PATTIES. ISBN 9781432310349 / ISBN -978-1-43-231034-9

The East African Cookbook by Shereen Jog features many recipes that are rooted in the traditional methods and tastes of East Africa.

For the last five generations, my family has created and passed down recipes that truly depict what East African cuisine is all about: the freshest local ingredients, cooked using traditional methods, creating scintillating flavours and wholesome food. Food is a huge part of East African life. The traditional East African favourites in this book have evolved over the years to account for the growth of our region and the various additional cultures we have imbibed. East Africa has one of the world's fastest-growing populations, and the new younger generation is worldly wise and thoroughly modern. Their exposure to global trends means that a new wave of locally enjoyed cuisine is gaining in popularity across the region. The recipe selection in The East African Cookbook by Shereen Jog is therefore as modern as it is traditional, as healthy as it is wholesome, as organic as it is contemporary. It is my opportunity to share with you what we love and enjoy as East Africans. Combining the fruit of the highlands, the spices of Zanzibar, the vegetables of the rich and fertile soil, and meat and seafood untouched by genetic modification, East African cuisine is something everyone can enjoy and adapt.

KATLESI: SPICY MINCE AND POTATO PATTIES

Serves four

250 g beef mince (you can also use chicken or mutton mince)
1 tsp garlic paste
½ tsp ginger paste
½ tsp salt
2 tsp chopped fresh green chilli or
½ tsp red chilli powder
¼ tsp garam masala
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp lemon or lime juice
¼ cup water
1 red onion, finely chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh coriander
3 small fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 cups oil for frying

COATING
5 large potatoes
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 eggs
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp red chilli powder
1 Tbsp chopped fresh coriander

1. In a large saucepan, combine the beef mince, garlic paste, ginger paste, salt, fresh chilli or chilli powder, garam masala, cumin, black pepper, lemon or lime juice and water. Boil over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Allow all the water to evaporate.

2. Remove from the heat and immediately add the onion, fresh coriander and mint. Stir well and let the mixture cool to room temperature. The mince should be dry and cool before using.

3. In the meantime, wash the potatoes and boil them in their skins in a saucepan of salted water for approximately 20 minutes until soft. Pierce them with a skewer or knife to test whether they are cooked.

4. Drain all the water and let the potatoes cool down until they are easy to handle. Peel off their skins and mash the potatoes until semi smooth.

5. Flatten a handful of potato mash and spoon some mince in the centre. Fold the mash over to seal in the mixture and roll into a smooth ball. Gently flatten the ball to resemble a bun or dinner roll. (Rub some oil on your palms and fingers to help with the rolling.) Make sure the potato patties are properly sealed with no cracks or transparent patches, as these may crack open while frying.

6. Prepare two dipping bowls. Place the breadcrumbs in the first bowl. In the second bowl, beat the eggs, salt, chilli powder and coriander with a fork.

7. First roll the sealed mince and potato patties in the breadcrumbs to evenly coat and then dip them in the egg mixture.

8. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat and cook the patties for 30 seconds on each side or until they appear golden brown.

9. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

This is an excerpt from The East African Cookbook, by Shereen Jog.

Title: The East African Cookbook
Authors: Shereen Jog
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Lifestyle
Cape Town, South Africa 2020
ISBN 9781432310349 / ISBN -978-1-43-231034-9
Softcover, 21 x 25 cm, 152 pages, throughout colour photographs