Sri Lankan Fish Cutlets (Maalu Cutlets)
Local name: මාළු කට්ලට්
In short: Spiced tuna and potato croquettes with onion, green chili and curry leaves, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crisp. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Fish cutlets are the snack of Sri Lankan tea time, wedding receptions and every bakery counter. They are small, crisp-coated croquettes filled with spiced fish, mashed potato, onion, green chili and curry leaves, with a good dose of black pepper and a squeeze of lime. They can be shaped ahead and fried at the last minute, and they are always eaten hot with a spicy chili sauce or a cup of tea.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until soft. Drain, steam dry for 2 minutes and mash until smooth.
- If using fresh tuna, simmer it in salted water for 8 minutes until opaque and flaky. Drain, cool and flake finely. If using canned tuna, simply flake it.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the onion, green chilies and curry leaves for 4 minutes until soft, then stir in the chili powder, turmeric and pepper for 30 seconds.
- Mix the onion mixture with the mashed potato, fish, salt and lime juice. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Cool, then chill for 30 minutes.
- Shape the mixture into 16 small cylinders or ovals, each about 5 cm (2 in) long. Dip each in the beaten egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry the cutlets in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot with chili sauce or lime wedges.
Tips
- To bake or air-fry, spray the coated cutlets with oil and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once.
- Chill the shaped cutlets for 15 minutes before frying. They hold together better and absorb less oil.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze fish cutlets?
Yes. Freeze them uncooked and coated, in a single layer, for up to 2 months. Fry from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for 5 to 6 minutes.
Can I use other fish for cutlets?
Yes. Canned or cooked mackerel, sardines or salmon work. Remove all bones and skin, and flake the fish finely.
What do you serve with fish cutlets?
Chili sauce, lunu miris or lime wedges. They are also eaten with a cup of tea, or tucked inside a bread roll.
How long does it take to make Sri Lankan Fish Cutlets (Maalu Cutlets)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sri Lankan Fish Cutlets (Maalu Cutlets)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
