Spinach Cutlets (Palak ki tikki)

                                                                            
Years ago I used to adore a character from a comic strip called 'Popeye'. And from there only I started liking spinach, and used to think that just by eating spinach, I will become strong like him. LOL !!! In a way I think Popeye has made kids eat spinach over the period.
I still remember how my Mom used to ask me to pick fresh spinach from our backyard garden. After wrapping a shawl, walking on the lawn barefooted to find early morning dew drops on spinach leaves, cauliflower, tomatoes was a delight. Ma used to make parathas, salads with the fresh picked leaves.
I learnt these spinach tikkis from my Mom. And now a days I make these delicious tikkis for my son who otherwise is not a big fan of spinach. I'm hoping that my son too becomes a fan of Popeye and start liking spinach !! Hope you all like it....

                                                                                      
Yields: 6 tikkis, Preparation time: 30 minutes


Ingredients:
2 big Potatoes, boiled
4 bunch of Spinach
1/2 cup Green peas
1 Carrot, finely chopped
1/2 cup Cauliflower, finely chopped
2 Brown breads
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Cumin powder
1 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
2-3 tsp Ginger- Garlic paste
1 Green chilly, chopped
1 tsp Garam masala
1 tbsp Coriander leaves, chopped
1tbsp Cornflour
Salt to taste
Oil for shallow frying + 1tbsp oil


Method:
First pick only green leaves, remove brown and yellow spots from them. Remove the thick stems, rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt /sand. Do wash the leaves 2-3 times because even the slightest bit of grit can spoil your whole tikki mixture and will leave your mouth with a  bad taste.

                                                                   
Heat a big bowl of water on hight heat and place a big steel strainer on it. Place spinach leaves on the steel container (which is above water) and steam it for about 2-3 minutes on low flame. The color of the leaves should remain green. Now allow the spinach to cool, then grind to smooth paste. Keep aside.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan and add cumin seeds. When they start to splutter, add ginger-garlic paste, green chilly and all chopped vegetables along with peas. Add salt, coriander powder, cumin and garam masala. Fry for few minutes. Then remove from the heat. 
For breadcrumbs I do not like to throw bread ends so I make my homemade breadcrumbs. For that you need to  toast the breads in a toaster and then put it in your blender. Simple isn't it ???
After the mixture has cooled down, add breadcrumbs, cornflour, mashed potatoes, coriander leaves and finally spinach puree. Combine well to make a smooth ball. Then take little mixture in your hands and roll them into balls or your desired shape.

                                                                              
 I used cookie cutter to shape them in an interesting way. Enjoy these healthy cutlets with ketch-up sauce or with your favorite chutney along with evening tea or cuppa.