Chickpea Patty with Teff and TVP Granules

One dish with many names

You can call it a patty, cutlet, or Tikki! No matter what you call it, this dish is a crowd-pleaser! Veggie Cutlets and tikkis are popular Indian snacks. 

They also form an essential part of the Indian street food scene. I have some very fond memories of enjoying this mouth-watering food along with my family and friends at popular food joints in Bombay. 

Snacks like these are popular for a reason! They are easy and quick to make. The texture is crispy on the outside and soft inside. You will find many varieties of tikkis and cutlets in our cuisine. 

Railway Cutlets

This recipe is also my take on the very popular vegetable cutlets that used to be served on long-distance train journeys in India, back in the day. In fact, that is why and how it got its unique name. 

Every Summer, my family and I would visit my mother's childhood home in Trichy (South of India). An overnight journey by train was the only way to get there. Besides all the fun and games, we also looked forward to various snacks available at different train stations. 

Although we would pack food for most of the trip, our parents would buy snacks like Vada Pav, boiled corn and peanuts, freshly cut cucumber/guava served with chilly powder on top, and railway cutlets for us. 

The cutlets were both crispy and soft at the same time. Made with different veggies and served with bread, they were one of the highlights of the train ride. Today's recipe is an ode to those wonderful childhood memories. 

Fun fact - Cutlets are an Anglo-Indian invention. Since the Indian Railways were introduced by the British, there was a lot of influence on the foods served there. Isn't that cool?

Benefits of TVP

TVP, textured vegetable protein, or soya granules is a complete protein because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids we must obtain from food. 

It's high in fiber and low in calories. This soy protein also contains no fat, cholesterol, or saturated fat. You get them in chunks (soya chunks) form or granules. 

For vegans and vegetarians, it can be a great substitute for meat because of its texture. TVP in any form is a must-have in our pantry. I have used TVP in chunks form in the Soya Pulao recipe. 

Chickpeas - You can either use raw ones or canned ones. If using raw, then soak them overnight and cook them the next day. Since we are cooking with teff which is a gluten-free grain, chickpeas also help bind the patties. 

Gluten-free Teff grains - I prefer using Maskal Teff grains for this recipe. I have made Teff Quinoa Khichdi, Teff Kheer Porridge, Banana Strawberry Bread, Teff Roti, and Teff Idli with it!

TVP granules/Soya Granules - They provide additional nutrition, and protein, making it more filling and more flavorful.

Basics - cilantro, onions, garlic, ginger, and, green chilies, or serrano peppers. 

Spices - turmeric powder, chilly powder, cumin seeds, coriander powder, and garam masala are what you will need.

Cashews for presentation, breadcrumbs for coating, and oil for shallow frying. 

Before we start making these chickpea patties, there is some quick prep that we need to do. 

• Cook the chickpeas in advance or use canned chickpeas. 
• Then cook the TVP granules as per the instructions on the packet. I microwaved it in a covered bowl filled with water, for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the excess water and set it aside. 
• Cook the Teff grains as per the packet instructions. I added them to a pan of boiling water and cooked them covered for 15 minutes. 

Once all these 3 ingredients are ready, start to make the veggie cutlet. 

1. To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked chickpeas. Mash lightly with a fork or a masher.
2. Add the cooked Teff grains.
3. Add the TVP granules.
4. Add the chopped onions and cilantro.
5. Add the minced ginger, garlic, and green chillies.
6. Add the spices - turmeric powder, chilly powder, cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and two tablespoons of breadcrumbs.
7. Mix well until it forms a soft dough.
8. Divide into 8 balls and shape them into tikkis or patties. You can also give them any other shape. Place half a cashew in the center and lightly press it in. Coat them in breadcrumbs. Then refrigerate it until it's time to fry them. 
9. Shallow fry them all in oil till they turn golden brown on both sides. 

Serving suggestions 🍽

The beauty of this Teff and TVP patty recipe is that you can get creative with serving it. They make yummy party appetizers! They are the perfect bite-sized treat for large gatherings. 

You can also serve them as chaat similar to Sweet Potato Tikki Chole Chaat. They will taste yummy! These veggie cutlets can be served as a tea-time snack or at parties. 

They can also be enjoyed by themselves along with some spicy green chutney, ketchup, and meetha chutney on the side. It can be your quick snack when the craving hits. 

Stuff a couple of these veggie cutlets between a burger or in a sandwich and enjoy a hearty meal! 

Top recipe tips 💭

Feel free to load these cutlets with more veggies like beets, spinach, carrots, potatoes, and peas. If you don't want to add chickpeas or TVP to this gluten-free teff recipe, then substitute them with any other cooked beans, lentils, or potatoes.

Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs. For coating the patties, you can also use rawa or semolina instead of breadcrumbs. 

Recipe FAQs 📖