Not long ago, I posted a recipe for Khatoon Boodhi from Araksi Dinkjian.
In that same post I mentioned Charles Kasbarian’s recipe of the same name, but with a slightly different spelling. Charles is in the process of putting together an online Dikranagerdsi cookbook, and this is one of his main dish recipes.
He kindly shared his recipe with me and gave me permission to share it with you!
A meat and rice croquettes recipe from Charles Kasbarian
Course Main Course
Prep Time 30minutes
Cook Time 18minutes
Total Time 48minutes
Servings 8croquettes
Ingredients
1lb.ground lambI used locally sourced lamb from Fox Trot Farm.
½cupplain ricecooked and cooled
1medium onionchopped
½cupstring cheese, tel banirchopped – I used Sun-Ni Armenian string cheese
¼cupparsley leaves
1tsp.dill weed
½tsp.salt
½tsp.paprika
1tsp. ground coriander, aka kinz
½tsp.black pepper (daghdigh)freshly ground
2largeeggsOne for the croquette mixture; the other used as a coating before cooking.
plain flour for coating
olive oilfor shallow frying
Instructions
Combine meat, rice, onions and cheese, then pass through a grinder or food processor until ground to a reduced consistency.
Add salt, pepper, spices, and 1 lightly beaten egg.
Mix and knead thoroughly.
Divide the mixture into eight equal portions.
Take each portion, one at a time, and roll into a cylindrical shape, uniform in circumference, and place in a large shallow plate.
Beat second egg and pour over the croquettes, turning them until fully coated.
Transfer the croquettes to another large shallow plate containing flour, turning them until fully coated.
Shallow fry the croquettes, turning them until well browned.
Notes
Charles’ Suggestions:Serve with shepherd (choban) salad, and with tan (madzoon & water).Option: For a more robust flavor, ½ tsp. allspice (bahar) may be substituted for the 1 tsp. coriander.Charles’ Note:Kadin Boudi is Dikranagerdtsi dialect for Kadin Budu, meaning Lady’s Thigh, which the croquette is supposed to resemble. Also known as Khanum Boudi and Khatoun Boudi. Khanum is ‘lady’ in Persian and ‘Khatoun’ is lady in Arabic. The difference is: Khanum is a lady of superior rank, and Khatoun is a lady of inferior rank.