Vegan Seekh Kebab Bites
These delicious vegan seekh kebab bites are the perfect easy appetiser for casual entertaining. Packed with great flavour and so “meaty” that even the most devoted carnivore won’t realise they’re vegan!
I’ve recently adopted a vegan diet. This is not because I am virtuous, but rather to address some unpleasant hormonal challenges. It seems that eating animal products makes these problems worse. So, I’ve opted out.
However, my family has not followed suit. My long-suffering husband has largely joined me — though he often digresses. My kids — on the other hand — hate the idea of eating vegan foods.
So, when I propose food to them, I’m often confronted with questions such as:
“Is this vegan?” (No matter what the food looks or smells like, an affirmative answer will practically guarantee the kids won’t eat it.)
“Did you use the vegan cheese in this?” (The emphasis in this question usually makes the word vegan sound like a synonym for revolting.)
“Is this fake meat?” (Again, an affirmative answer means a low likelihood of consumption.)
I understand these reactions perfectly. Vegetarian cuisine has always felt accessible to me. However, in my mind, vegan diets were alien and extreme. I was that hostess who dreaded the one vegan guest who “couldn’t eat anything”. (That’s the very person I endeavour not to be when I go to parties now!)
This problem is undoubtedly becoming increasingly common as more people experiment with eating vegan at least part of the time. So, the advent of new meat substitutes which — when prepared properly — can taste meaty enough to fool skeptics and haters is a godsend.
Plant-Based “Meat”
This seekh kebab recipe uses one such plant-based mince (ground), and I am pleased to tell you that it even fooled my skeptical non-vegan children! I can say this with confidence because, when I was testing the recipe, my youngest son happened to finish school just as a fresh batch came out.
He’s always starving after online classes. So, he asked if he could have some. Of course, I said “yes”, and he dug in without asking further questions.
A moment later, he asked “so, you guys still can’t eat meat, right?” I immediately understood that he was hoping to swoop in and eat the rest — because he thought it was meat! This was music to my ears.
So, if you still struggle with what to serve your one vegan friend that won’t wind up sitting in your fridge for a week after s/he is long gone. Or if, like me, you’re following a vegan diet in the midst of a non vegan family. This seekh kebab bite recipe is for you!
If you’re thinking of trying plant-based mince with other family favourite recipes, go for it. The product can be used similarly to traditional mince in a wide variety of applications. However, if you want to fool the carnivores, I highly recommend using plant-based mince in dishes that are robustly seasoned. If there are enough other flavours in the dish, nobody will miss the meat!
What Can I Serve Seekh Kebab Bites with?
| Fresh, Spicy Mint Chutney |  |
About this Recipe
Vegan seekh kebab bites are as easy as 1-2-3. However, I still have a couple of suggestions to help you achieve optimal results.
If you have time, prepare the “meat” mixture ahead of time and allow it to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, please do so. The longer the “meat” sits, the better the flavours will penetrate and develop.
A spring-loaded cookie scoop is an idea tool for forming evenly sized seekh kebab bites. While not essential, a small, spring-loaded scoop makes it much easier to create equal sized meatballs that will look pretty and cook evenly. So it’s an investment I highly recommend!
Finally, what if you don’t have a mini chopper? Not to worry. You can still make delicious seekh kebab bites. Simply grate the onion on the small holes of a box grater, press the garlic, grate the ginger, and mince the chilli peppers (if using). Once these aromatics are blended into the meat mixture, the minor textural difference won’t be noticeable. I only recommend the mini chopper because it’s faster — and I’m alway running from behind!
I hope your friends and family enjoy this recipe every bit as much as mine do. Bon appétit!
Vegan Seekh Kebab Bites
Ingredients
- 1/4 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2.5 cm fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins (about 20 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 green chilies (such as serrano), stemmed and roughly chopped (optional)
- 450 g plant-based ground (mince)
- 1/2 cup minced fresh coriander (about 15 g)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon chickpea flour (besan)
For the Glaze (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon vegan spread, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 pinch dried methi, crumbled (optional)
Instructions
- Place the onion, ginger, garlic, and green chilies (if using) in the bowl of a mini chopper. Pulse until the mixture forms a paste.
- Scrape the paste into a medium bowl. Add the plant-based ground, coriander, salt, garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, and besan to the bowl. Knead with your hands until thoroughly combined. Set aside for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 220º C. Line a baking tray with parchment.
- Prepare the optional glaze, if using, by stirring the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, scoop the ground mixture into evenly sized balls and place, evenly spaced on the parchment lined baking tray. Bake for 7 minutes, or just until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, brush with the glaze (if using), and serve immediately with mint chutney.
Notes
These delicious vegan seekh kebab bites are the perfect easy appetiser for casual entertaining. Packed with great flavour and so "meaty" that even the most devoted carnivore won't realise they're vegan!
1 thought on “Vegan Seekh Kebab Bites”