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Nargis Kebab or Nargisi Kofta

The Nargis Kebab, the Indian origins of the ever-popular British Scotch egg, my version wraps spiced beef around a jammy yolked boiled egg.

Perfect as either a picnic or lunch box treat to part of a multi-course Indian meal as a starter, these will become a real versatile favourite.

Nargis kebab or Indian Scotch eggs served with Bombay potatoes and cucumber raita

Nargisi Kofta

I love Scotch Egg so imagine my joy when I stumbled across something called a nargisi kofta.

It was described as an Indian Scotch egg in an Indian Restaurant called the Shirley temple in a place called Shirley. I only mention that because, well restaurant naming goals!

As a Brit stumbling on this dish blew my mind, like many I was “taught” that the Scotch egg was invented by Fortnum and Mason in the early 18th Century.

The Indians are laughing into their sleeves as the Nargis Kebab predates them by centuries.

Just like the Scotch egg, this recipe features minced meat wrapped around a boiled egg, in India, this meat is often lamb for cultural reasons.

I choose beef as it has a slightly less greasy mouthfeel which is important if you are sneaking them into a lunch box and eating them cold.

The eggs are the perfect smooth and silky foil to the richly spiced meat, in much the same way they do in my egg curry.

Nargis kebab or Indian Scotch eggs with one cut open to show jammy yolk served with cucumber raita

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any other meat?

Yes, the Nargis kebab is most often made with lamb, but I have also seen it made with chicken.

I am a stickler for changing spicing in recipes to compliment the meat.

If I were using lamb I would dial back the fenugreek and increase the amchur to add acidity to cut through the rich lamb.

I would dial back all of the spices when using chicken but also increase the amchur.

Can they be eaten cold?

Yes, they are a killer lunchbox or picnic dish.

They can be made up to 4 days in advance and as is so often the way with spicy food the flavours improve with time.

However, if you plan on eating them cold increase the spicing by 10-20%. Spices are always a little more muted in cold dishes.

Where are the breadcrumbs?

There are no breadcrumbs on nargisi kofta, they just don’t exist in the same way in Indian food and certainly didn’t a few centuries ago.

Why are my kebabs cracking when fried?

This is likely a result of one or two things or a combination of both.

The first is as a result of too much moisture. You need to pour away almost all of the liquid from the grated onions.

The second is not smoothing over the kebab. If you leave cracks in the surface oil will get in and pop them open.

Overhead Nargis kebab or Indian Scotch eggs with one cut open to show jammy yolk served with cucumber raita

Serving Suggestions

A Nargis kebab is often served as a starter, although I prefer them as a centrepiece of a meal.

I usually serve them with something light but also something with a little acidity and sweetness. This helps counter all that rich protein.

That for me means a mint and cucumber raita.

This dish also works really well with a kachumber salad, which is a mix of onion, cucumber and often tomato.

In restaurants, they are often served with a simple omelette.

If I’m feeling particularly greedy, I’ll serve them with roast Bombay potatoes.

Close up Nargis kebab or Indian Scotch eggs with one cut open to show jammy yolk served with cucumber raita

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

  • Stovetop.
  • 20cm or 8″ saucepan for boiling the eggs.
  • Deep fat fryer, you could use a pan but be sure not to fill more than a quarter with oil and be VERY careful!
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Weighing scales and or measuring cups and spoons.
  • Cling film.
  • Slotted spoon.
Nargis kebab or Indian Scotch eggs with one cut open to show jammy yolk served with cucumber raita
Yield: 4 Kebabs

Indian Nargis Kebab Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

These Nargis kebabs really are a hidden jewel of Indian cuisine, they are almost certainly the inspiration behind the British Scotch Egg.

Ingredients

  • 250g (1⅔ Cup) Onions
  • 1 Tsp Ginger Paste
  • 1 Tsp Garlic Paste
  • 1 Tsp Ground Coriander
  • ½ Tsp Kashmiri Chili Powder
  • ½ Tsp Mango Powder
  • ½ Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves
  • 300g (8oz) Minced Beef
  • 35g (½ Cup) Dried Breadcrumbs
  • 4 Eggs

Instructions

  1. Peel and grate the onion.
  2. Mix together the ground beef with all of the ingredients with the exception of the eggs, making sure you only add a little of the water from the grated onions.
  3. Boil the eggs by placing them in rapidly boiling water for 7½ minutes and immediately refresh them in cold water.
  4. Pre-heat your deep fat fryer to 170ºC or 340ºF.
  5. Peel the eggs when cooled.
  6. Divide the meat mixture into four portions.
  7. Flatten out a single serving on a piece of cling film to a rough circle approximately 5-7mm (¼") thick and place an egg in the middle
  8. Bring up the edges of the cling film to wrap the meat mixture around the egg.
  9. Wet your hands and remove the cling film and proceed to form the meat into a smooth covering around the egg. Make sure you smooth out all cracks.
  10. Repeat this process for the remaining eggs.
  11. Fry in a deep fat fryer for 4-5 minutes or bake at 180C or 350F for 20-25 minutes.

Notes

The cooking time for the boiled eggs relates to room temperature eggs, if you are using chilled eggs you will need to add another 60 seconds or so.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 546Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 299mgSodium: 455mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 32g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

Norman

Saturday 30th of October 2021

We had these recently in an Indian restaurant in Weymouth. They were absolutely gorgeous. They were served as a starter with a sweetish tomato and onion sauce and a small side of rocket and other lettuce leaf cuttings. I don’t have a deep fryer but I’m hoping to replicate them by baking in the oven.

Brian Jones

Friday 5th of November 2021

I make a pretty standard scotch egg in the oven https://www.krumpli.co.uk/baked-scotch-egg/ so it is certainly possible and should work well enough here. They are not exactly the same as fried but they are good!

aditi

Monday 9th of March 2020

Hey Can we use minced chicken instead of beef?

Brian Jones

Monday 9th of March 2020

You can, however you must ensure that the chicken is cooked through to 74C or 165F which means longer cooking time and the likelihood of a less runny yolk.

I would also scale back the spices in the mix, beef has a much stronger flavour so can take stronger spicing.

Roy Thomas

Monday 25th of February 2019

I have just been thinkingof making since reading a new indian restaurant in london is doing them. I own more than 200 cookbooks including indian but nargisi scotch eggs dont appear. I feel a breadcrumb coating is essential. For a drinks party use quails eggs, perfect when cut in half

Brian Jones

Tuesday 26th of February 2019

I ran across these in a restaurant in a suburb of Birmingham and immediately fell in love with them.

They date back to the 17th 18th Century in India so definitely pre-date the breadcrumbs of the Scotch Egg I recognise but there is no reason not too change them up :) I like mine as a 'light meal' but just like regular Scotch Eggs they are really versatile.

Sarah Ricketts

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Intending to make these very soon. However as I am on a weight loss plan I would have to cook them in the oven. Any idea how long the timing would be please?

Brian Jones

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

As a starting point I would say 20-25 minutes at 180C or 350F and use a meat thermometer to ensure your meat is cooked to your liking :)

Veena Azmanov

Monday 23rd of April 2018

Wow, this recipe really impresses! Looks incredible! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I really like. Very beautiful presentation. I definitely want to try your recipe, and I'm sure it is very tasty! Thank you for sharing this great and interesting recipe! YUM!

Brian Jones

Tuesday 24th of April 2018

Thanks Veena

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