Mauritian Island Burger with Beef Catless and Mauritian Vegetable Achards

Ingredients:

For the Beef Catless:

• 500g of ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of fresh mint, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 50g of breadcrumbs
• Frying oil (for cooking the patties)

For the Mauritian Vegetable Achards:

• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 small cabbage, grated
• 1/2 cucumber, grated
• 1 small green chili (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon of oil

Preparation:

1. Prepare the Beef Catless:

   • In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, chopped onion, egg, cilantro, mint, crushed garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
   • Add the breadcrumbs and mix until you get a homogeneous dough.
   • Shape the mixture into patties using your hands.
   • Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the beef patties for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

2. Prepare the Mauritian Vegetable Achards:

   • Grate the vegetables (carrot, cabbage, cucumber) and place them in a large bowl.
   • In a small skillet, heat the oil and add the turmeric, vinegar, mustard, and sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
   • Pour the hot mixture over the grated vegetables and mix well to coat all the vegetables.
   • If you like it spicy, you can add the green chili at this point.

3. Assemble the Mauritian Island Burger:

   • Lightly toast the burger buns.
   • Place one beef patty on each bottom half of the bun.
   • Add a generous portion of vegetable achards on top.
   • Cover with the top half of the bun.

4. Serve:

   • Serve immediately with homemade fries or a fresh salad.

Tips:

• You can add a bit of spicy sauce or flavored mayonnaise for extra taste.
• The vegetable achards can be prepared in advance and left to marinate in the refrigerator for more flavor.

Enjoy your meal!

Catless: A Traditional Snack from the Indian Ocean Islands

Catless is a fried potato-based snack found in several cuisines of the Indian Ocean islands. This dish is an integral part of Mauritian, Reunionese (of Arab origin, where they are called tiamps), and Malagasy (where they are called katlezy) cuisines. Among Muslims in these islands, these small bites are especially appreciated during Ramadan.

Origin of Catless: Originally, catless comes from India, where it is known as a cutlet (borrowed from the English language). Traditionally, it refers to boneless pieces of chicken, marinated in various spices and then fried.

Today, catless is not limited to just chicken. It can be made with beef, fish such as tuna, or even various vegetables for a vegetarian version.

An Adaptable and Flavorful Dish This flavorful and spicy dish has now become a classic street food and a must-have at social meals, whether at celebrations or family gatherings, especially during Ramadan.