Appetizer

Hara Bhara Kabab

A platter of golden-brown Hara Bhara Kababs arranged with mint chutney and lemon wedges on a white plate
Prep
20 mins
Cook
20 mins
Servings
4
IndianEasySnackVegetarianGluten FreeHigh Fiber

About this dish

These vibrant green kababs are a beloved North Indian snack, originating from the streets of Delhi. With a personal twist from my mother’s kitchen, I blend spinach, potatoes, and green peas with gentle spices, then pan-fry them to a golden-brown crisp.

Each bite is a festive burst of green—perfect for tea time or as a starter at gatherings.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

Spinach leaves

vegetable

200 g

Imperial measurement: 7 oz

Green peas

vegetable

1/2 cup (75 g)

Imperial measurement: 1/2 cup (2.6 oz)

Potatoes, boiled and mashed

vegetable

2 (about 300 g)

Imperial measurement: 2 (about 10 oz)

Ginger, piece

herb

1 inch (15 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 inch (1 tsp minced)

Green chili peppers

vegetable

2

Corn starch

other

2 tablespoons (16 g)

Imperial measurement: 2 tablespoons (0.56 oz)

Cumin seeds

spice

1 teaspoon (2 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 teaspoon

Garam masala

spice

1 teaspoon (2 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 teaspoon

Amchur (dry mango powder)

seasoning

1 teaspoon (3 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 teaspoon

Salt

seasoning

1 teaspoon (6 g)

Imperial measurement: 1 teaspoon

Cooking oil

fat

1 tablespoon (15 ml) for batter + 2 tbsp (30 ml) for frying

Imperial measurement: 1 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons

Method

1

Blanch spinach and peas

10 mins

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the fresh spinach leaves and green peas. Blanch for 2 minutes until spinach wilts. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to retain the vibrant green color. Drain well. Squeeze out excess water using your hands or a clean kitchen towel.

2

Grind spinach-pea blend

2 mins

In a food processor, combine the blanched spinach, drained peas, peeled ginger, and green chilies. Pulse until a coarse paste is formed. Do not over-grind; the mixture should have some texture, not a puree. Scrape into a mixing bowl.

3

Mix with potatoes

3 mins

Add the boiled and mashed potatoes to the spinach-pea mixture. Add cumin seeds, garam masala, amchur (if using), and salt. Mix thoroughly using your hands until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust salt and spices if needed.

4

Add binding agent

1 mins

Sprinkle corn starch (or arrowroot powder) over the mixture. Work it in well until the mixture feels cohesive and not sticky. If it feels too wet, add an extra tablespoon of corn starch. The dough should be stiff enough to shape without sticking to your hands.

5

Shape kababs

5 mins

Divide the mixture into equal portions. Shape each portion into a flat patty / cylinder-type . helps to lightly oil your palms to avoid sticking. D will yield typical cylindrical/disc M?o into desired shape such as cylinder - I earlier s):light pressure

6

Pan-fry kababs

8 mins

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Equipment

  • Large pot for blanching
  • Food processor
  • Mixing bowl
  • Non-stick skillet
  • Spatula

Nutrition facts

360 kcal
Calories
6 g
Protein
40 g
Carbohydrates
5 g
Fat
6 g
Fiber
570 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • Squeeze the blanched spinach and peas very well: excess moisture makes the kababs fall apart during frying.
  • For a milder heat, remove the seeds from the green chilies, for extra kick, chop them fine and add without deseeding.
  • You can also bake these kababs at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway, for an oil-free version.
  • Under no circumstances should the finished image contain any text, words, letters, numbers, labels, captions, logos, watermarks, packaging with writing, or menu cards.

Serving suggestions

  • Enjoy the kababs hot, accompanied by mint-coriander chutney and sliced onions tossed in chaat masala. A squeeze of lemon and a side of sweet mango pickle take it right back to the joyful chaos of a Lahori chai dhaba.

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Meera Kapoor

Recipe by

Meera Kapoor

Specialises in Indian cuisine

Meera Patel makes gulab jamun so soft they dissolve on your tongue. She uses cardamom like a poet.

Describe yourself in three words: Sweet, soft, rose-scented.