Aloo Tikki is made from boiled potatoes and green peas with some Indian spices and lemon juice. If you want you can add shredded carrot or boiled and mashed green beans, corn or other veggies of your choice. If other veggies are added then this will be a veggie burger, not aloo Tikki burger.
The spread or sauce and toppings for this burger are very usual and common. Mayonnaise and ketchup are used as a spread while lettuce, tomato and onion are used as toppings. If you like you can add shredded carrots or beetroots as well. If the lettuce is not available then use the cabbage leaf. Please steam the cabbage leaves, so it softens a bit and then use in the burger.
For the variations, try with flavoured mayonnaise. One reader suggested mixing the mayonnaise with little basil pesto, very clever idea.
As you know that aloo Tikki is the most popular snack or street food in India.
Preparing the Patty Mixture
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan and add finely chopped onions to it. Saute till they are cooked and golden brown.
Add chopped potatoes, carrots, french beans and green peas to the pan. You can also add other vegetables of your choice like cauliflower, corn or capsicum (bell peppers).
Cover with a lid and cook for 5-6 minutes or till the vegetables become tender, stirring occasionally in between.
Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Chaat Masala, Black Pepper and Salt to the vegetables.
Use a masher to mash and mix the vegetables.
Add finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Add 1/4th Cup of breadcrumbs or panko to the vegetable mixture for absorbing some of the moisture. Mix well and let the mixture cool down.
Frying the Patty
Spread the rest of the breadcrumbs on a plate in a thin even layer.
Mix Maida (Plain Flour) with some water to make a batter of thick coating consistency.
When the vegetable mixture has cooled down enough for handling, divide it into 8-10 equally sized portions. Gently roll each portion into a ball and then flatten it out to make a thick patty around 1/2 inch in thickness. You can use your bun as a reference for the diameter of your patty.
Dip each patty into the Maida batter to cover it completely.
Then place the patty on the breadcrumbs and coat it completely on all sides. You can repeat this process of dipping into the batter and breadcrumbs again if you want, to makes the patty extra crispy when frying.
Gently press the breadcrumbs into the patty and shape it with your hands. Make all the patties this way.
Heat 1/3 cup oil in a pan. I have shallow fried the patties, but you can also deep fry them. When the oil is hot place the patty in the pan and cooks for a 30-40 seconds or till is golden brown.
Flip the patty gently and cook the other side till both sides are cooked and crispy. Finish cooking all the patties this way.
Making the Dressing
Now to make the dressing for the burger, add Mayonnaise, Chilli Sauce, Tomato Ketchup and Garlic Powder to a small mixing bowl. You can also add some Salt if your Chilli Sauce doesn’t already have it.
Mix all the ingredients to make a smooth dressing.
Assembling the Burger
Cut the burger bun horizontally from the middle and then slightly toast the buns.
Spread the dressing on the lower bun in a thick even layer.
Place 4-5 lettuce leaves on the bun.
Then place the fried patty onto the lettuce.
Slice the onion into discs and place 1-2 of them on top of the patty.
Lastly, place a slice of tomato and cover with a bun on the top. If you want you can apply some of the dressing on the top bun as well.
Put a toothpick in the middle to hold everything together. Serve hot with French Fries or a Green Salad.