As someone said, when life hands you a lemon, make a lemonade. Not quite applicable when you have a year's supply of Couscous, and nobody (read me) is interested to eat Couscous Salad ! So, while adding to the health quotient, I planned to use them (Inspired by Harini's recipe) in a Cutlet / Tikki (or a shallow fried Savoury snack) thats so much a favourite of kiddo and all of us at home. Kiddo did indulge in this, and as long she didnt ask what the major ingredient was, I wasnt going to tell her about it...Some secrets are best kept secrets, isnt it?
As this is a kid-specific recipe, I kept the spice content low. But do feel free to add more in case you are serving for a party. Couscous as an ingredient tends to be quite bland, and lends itself quite well to more spice. I added cooked peas and potatoes & blanched carrots to give this more volume, so let your creativity flow while adding any other ingredients you might prefer. Made under 30 minutes, this is a quick snack you can serve at parties or potlucks too. Now, off to the recipe. Sending this to day 2 of BM # 17 under "Quick evening Snacks for Kids".

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Prep time : 15 mins
Cook time : 15 mins
Serves - 3
Difficulty level - Easy
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Ingredients:
- Couscous - 1 cup
- Blanched peas and carrots - ½ cup combined
- Boiled potato - 1 no
- Bread crumbs - ¼ cup
- Salt - to taste
- Chaat Masala - ½ tsp
- Ginger garlic paste - ½ tsp
- Garam Masala - ½ tsp
- Turmeric - a dash
- Coriander & mint leaves - a handful each.
- Chopped green chillies - 1 or 2
- Red chilli powder - ½ tsp
- Oil - to shallow fry
Coating:
- Maida / APF - 2 TBSP
- Warm water - 4- 8 TBSP
- Salt - just a pinch
- Roasted Sooji / semolina - a handful

Method:
1) Take couscous in a large bowl and pour about 2 cups of warm water on it. Soak for 5-10 mins and drain thoroughly.
2) To the soaked couscous, add the blanched peas, carrots, mashed potato and rest of the ingredients (except oil) and make into patties.
3) Refrigerate for 5 mins in a cling wrap.
4) For the coating, mix maida / APF with warm water and salt to a thick slurry in a shallow bowl.
5) Heat a shallow pan with 4 - 5 tablespoon cooking oil (I used olive oil).
6) Dip each of the patties into the slurry and coat with the roasted sooji. Fry in the pan on medium heat till both sides turn crispy and golden brown.
7) Remove on absorbent paper and serve with tomato ketchup or Jain Green Chutney

Linking it to :
- Blogging Marathon
- Kid's Delight ~ Evening Snacks/ Tiffins
- Let's Cook: Kids Special
- Bon Vivant #5 - Appetizers





Vardhini says
Nice way to include couscous. Looks yummy and thx for linking.
Vardhini
Event: Kid's Delight
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
Delicious Kalyani!!!! here too the same, i ahve a pack of couscous sitting so paavam in my pantry!!!! shud try this!!!!
Sangeetha Nambi says
My favy dish...
Rumana Rawat says
Superb what a lovely looking dish...
Unknown says
Very healthy, crunchy and yummy tikkis..
Cuisine Delights
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Srivalli says
Oh that looks so delicious..I have personally never cooked with couscous..sounds very nice way to include
Priya Suresh says
Thats an interesting way to sneak couscous, tikkis looks fabulous.
vaishali sabnani says
wow wat a wonderful way to sneak a major ingredient..loved it..will surely try this ..like all the veggies too really healthy!!
Spice up the Curry says
tikkis looks very very delicious. nice one
runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com says
crispy and would love to try it :)) yum!
FewMinute Wonders says
Looks very good.
Archana says
Looks yum Kalyani.
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Chef Mireille says
what a great idea
Sangeetha M says
Interesting way to include couscous...tikkis sounds very yummy n inviting..i too have made a tikki for my 3rd day post 🙂
Spicy Treats
Jayanthi says
True some secrets are best kept secrets. The cutlets look so yummy that I don't think I would bother to ask the main ingredient, just vegetarian....hehehe!!!! Nicely done Kalyani.
Gayathri NG says
Looks so nice tikkis, awesome...
Cool Lassi(e) says
Couscous Tikki looks awesome!
divyagcp says
Such an interesting way to make kids eat couscous and vegetable.. Looks delicious and very filling.
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Nalini's Kitchen says
Sounds interesting and tikki looks tempting,feel like grabbing it...
Pragyan says
Hey, Would you like to send this to "Let's Party - Fusion Food" Event ongoing in my space till July 14th? Seems perfect for my theme! 🙂 Thanks!
sushma says
Tikki's look great
Prabha Mani says
Wonderfully prepared tikkis..Nice clicks.Loved the onion rings 🙂
The Pumpkin Farm says
would love to try
Padmajha says
Tasty way of preparing a healthy ingredient.I am sure kids would love this...
Harini R says
Neat adaptation Kalyani! we love it too. Most of the time I don't divulge the ingredients 🙂
MAHIMA says
Very appetizing.