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Tava kebab
Tava kababı: Ganja minced lamb patties pan-baked with tomato and aubergine
Tava kebab is a pan kebab from Ganja and the west of Azerbaijan, made when there's no grill: minced lamb and onion mixed with egg, shaped into small flat patties and fried, then arranged in a pan in rows with slices of fried aubergine and tomato, and finished together under a lid so the juices mingle. It is served in the pan with flatbread. A common mistake is skipping the egg; the patties fall apart when you layer them. Chef's tip: stand the patties and vegetables on their edges in tight rows, so everything sits in the juices and stays moist. Minced lamb must reach 71 °C.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the patties
- 1 ⅓ lb lamb mince
- 1 oniongrated and squeezed
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 5 tbsp sunflower oil
For the vegetables
- 1 auberginesliced 1 cm thick
- 3 tomatoessliced 1 cm thick
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ oz fresh corianderchopped
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 1 ⅓ lb lamb mince, 1 onion, 1 egg, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper and knead for 3 minutes. Shape into 12 small flat patties.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp of 3 tbsp sunflower oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat and fry the patties for 3 minutes per side until browned. Lift out.
6 minStep 3: Fry 1 aubergine in the rest of 2 tbsp sunflower oil for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden. Season with ¼ tsp salt.
Step 4: Arrange patties, aubergine and 3 tomatoes on their edges in tight alternating rows in the pan. Common mistake: laying them flat and loose; they dry out.
Step 5: Cover and cook over a low heat for 12–15 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and the patties reach 160°F in the centre.
15 minStep 6: Scatter with ⅓ oz fresh coriander and serve in the pan.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 38 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tava kebab take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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