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- Mercimek köftesi (Turkish lentil patties)
Mercimek köftesi (Turkish lentil patties)
Ingredients
Step by step process
Preparation
- 1
Rinse the red lentils under running water and let them drain in a sieve.
- 2
Finely chop the red onion, slice the spring onion, and chop the parsley.
- 3
Measure the bulgur and prepare the remaining ingredients.
Cooking
- 4
Bring water to a boil in a pot and add the rinsed red lentils.
- 5
Simmer gently for about 15 minutes, until the lentils are soft and most of the water has evaporated (stir as needed. a very soft texture is desirable).
- 6
Remove from the heat, add the bulgur, stir, and cover. let stand for 10 minutes so the bulgur can swell.
- 7
Heat the olive oil in a pan and lightly sauté the red onion until soft.
- 8
Add the tomato paste, sweet paprika, and ground cumin, stir briefly together, and remove from the heat.
- 9
Fold the sautéed onion and spices into the lentil-bulgur mixture, then add the lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper.
TIP:Add lemon juice gradually and taste as you go until the acidity and saltiness are balanced. This technique works across a wide range of recipes and lets you fine-tune the flavor as needed.
- 10
Stir in the chopped spring onion and parsley, reserving some for garnish.
- 11
Once the mixture has cooled slightly and is pliable, shape it with your hands into oval patties or finger-sized rolls.
TIP:When working with sticky ingredients like sushi rice or wet dough, moisten your fingers with water. This helps prevent sticking to your hands and makes the work easier.
Serving
- 12
Arrange the finished köfte on lettuce leaves on a plate or platter.
- 13
Serve ideally at room temperature or slightly chilled, with the reserved parsley for garnish and fresh lemon slices to taste.
More tips:
If the mixture is too sticky, let it cool or add a little more bulgur and allow it to absorb until it can be shaped.
For a fresher flavor, add a handful of chopped mint or cilantro at the end.
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Topic: Turkish Cuisine
