Indian cooking
Indian cooking / Dishes / Nadru ke Kebab
Nadru ke Kebab (Lotus Root Kebabs)

Nadru ke Kebab

Lotus Root Kebabs
Vegetarian●●●Origin Jammu and KashmirPrep 30–35 minutes, plus cooling timeCook 20–30 minutesMakes 25

These savoury Kashmiri patties are made from fire-roasted lotus root blended with fragrant spices and fresh herbs, then pan-fried until crisp and golden brown.

Kebab masala

8 gMixed into the processed lotus root paste (step 2)
Mix together thoroughly.

Everything else

01
1000 g
vegetable
02
2.2 g1½ tablespoons
herb
03
15 g1½ tablespoons
vegetable
04
31 g6 tablespoons
other
05
Vegetable oil · Telfor shallow-frying
to taste
oil/fat
06
to taste
salt

Method

  1. Roast 1000 g lotus root over hot coals or under a medium grill (broiler) for roughly 5 minutes, turning until charred brown specks form across the surface. Let them sit until cool enough to touch, then strip off the peel, slice thinly, and pulse in a food processor to form a textured, coarse paste.
  2. Transfer the lotus root paste to a mixing bowl. Incorporate 1.5 tablespoon chopped coriander, 14.8 g chopped green chilli, and the kebab masala, stirring until evenly distributed. Stir in 1 teaspoon spice blend, season with salt to taste, and blend in 6 tablespoon breadcrumbs until fully combined.
  3. Moisten your hands lightly with water and shape the mixture into 25 equal portions, flattening each into a smooth disc.
  4. Pour enough vegetable oil for shallow-frying into a kadhai or heavy skillet and place over medium-high heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning as needed until pale golden brown on both sides. Lift them out using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels before serving.

Don't have something?

Lotus root
  • Lotus stem

    Use the same weight; same vegetable under another name; peel and slice; cooking time unchanged.

  • Water chestnut

    Use the same weight, sliced; add 5 minutes before the end; crisp but less starchy and no holes.

  • Canned bamboo shoots

    Use the same weight, drained and sliced; add 5 minutes before the end; crunchier and more sour.

Coriander
  • Coriander leaf

    Use equal weight, chopped fresh and stirred in off the heat or used as garnish. Matches the citrus-herbal profile identically.

  • Mint

    Use 40% to 50% of the weight; chop finely and add at the very end. Adds fresh herbal brightness, but shifts the aroma toward cool menthol.

Green chilli
  • Chilli powder

    Use 10 to 15% of the weight (about 1/4 teaspoon per chilli); imparts dry pungent heat and reddens the dish without the grassy crunch.

  • Dried red chilli

    Use 1 dried pod per fresh green chilli; snap in half and temper in hot oil for a deeper, toastier heat.

Black cumin seed
  • Nigella seeds

    Use the same weight; in Indian cooking this is usually the same seed. Toast lightly if the recipe asks for toasted.

  • Kalonji seed

    Use the same weight; it is another name for nigella. Add whole or crush lightly.

  • Cumin seed

    Use about 75% of the weight and toast before use; the flavour is different, more warm and less onion-like.

Ground dried mint
  • Dried mint

    Use the same weight and crush finely; it is virtually the same.

  • Mint leaves

    Use about 3 times the weight, chop very fine; it is fresher and wetter, so reduce other liquid slightly.

Ground cinnamon
  • Ground Ceylon cinnamon

    Milder and sweeter than ground cassia: use about 1.5 times the weight.

  • Cassia bark (Chinese cinnamon)

    Grind the same weight of cassia bark in a spice mill until powdery, or simmer a piece whole and lift it out before serving.

  • Ground mace

    Use 40 to 50% of the weight; offers a delicate, sweet, woodsy fragrance that complements rich curries without dominating.

Kashmiri chilli powder
  • Dried kashmiri chilli

    Grind deseeded dried pods to an equal weight of powder; gives identical vivid red colour and gentle warmth.

  • Red chilli powder

    Use 25% of the weight mixed with sweet paprika for colour; straight red chilli powder is substantially hotter and will make the dish fiery.

  • Chilli powder

    Use one-third of the weight; the sauce will be less intensely red and notably sharper in heat.

Ground black pepper
  • Black peppercorn

    Use 1:1 by weight; pulverise in a spice mill or mortar to a fine powder for immediate, punchy heat.

  • Coarsely ground black pepper

    Use equal weight; offers the same bite, though it gives a visibly speckled finish and firmer crunch.

Breadcrumb
  • White breadcrumb

    Use the same weight; fresh white crumbs are softer and bind more gently.

  • Dried breadcrumb

    Use about 70% of the weight and moisten slightly, as dried crumbs absorb more liquid.

  • Panko breadcrumbs

    Use the same weight; they are lighter and crisper, giving a coarser coating.

Vegetable oil
  • Peanut oil

    Use 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.

  • Ghee

    Use 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.

  • Mustard oil

    Use 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Similar dishes

Nadru Yakhani
Lotus Root Curry
Nadru Yakhani is tangy, rich, and mildly spiced from the yogurt and whole spices, whereas this dish is sharper, more peppery, and chilli-forward.
  • Same: Nadru Yakhani also features lotus root as the primary ingredient and seasons it with cinnamon.
  • Different: Instead of shaping lotus root into patties and pan-frying them in vegetable oil with green chillies, coriander, and cumin, Nadru Yakhani simmers it in ghee and a plain yogurt gravy flavored with cloves, ginger, and both green and black cardamom.
Kararre Bhyein
Stir-fried Lotus Stem
Kararre Bhyein is nuttier and sharper with fresh ginger, lacking the warm cinnamon and black pepper notes of this dish.
  • Same: Both dishes feature lotus stem seasoned with chilli powder, cumin, and salt.
  • Different: Kararre Bhyein deep-fries sliced lotus stems and tosses them with ginger and roasted peanuts, while this dish uses mashed, fire-roasted lotus root pan-fried into patties with cinnamon, black pepper, and coriander.
Dum Nadru
Spicy Baked Lotus Roots
Dum Nadru has a sweeter, pungent ginger-forward flavour with a saucy texture, while this dish is crisp, dry, and distinctly peppery.
  • Same: Both dishes feature lotus root seasoned with cumin, chilli powder, and fresh green chillies.
  • Different: Dum Nadru adds potatoes, peas, ginger, asafoetida, cloves, and sugar cooked in ghee or oil as a saucy baked dish, whereas this dish is shaped into patties and pan-fried with cinnamon and black pepper.
Murg ke Soole
Boneless Chicken on Skewers
Murg ke Soole tastes richer, creamier, and tangier with a smoky char, whereas this dish is crisper and spicier from black pepper and Kashmiri chilli.
  • Same: Murg ke Soole also uses green chilli, black cumin seeds, and ground cinnamon.
  • Different: Instead of pan-frying lotus root patties in vegetable oil, it skewers and roasts chicken coated in cream, cashew paste, ghee, garlic, lemon juice, and vinegar.