Lentil Kufta (Mercimekli Kufta)

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Mercimekli Kufta, also known as Red Lentil Kofte, is a vegetarian Turkish appetizer or mezze dish made with red lentils, bulgur wheat, and various herbs and spices. The dish is typically served cold and can be shaped into small balls or patties.

To make the dish, the red lentils are cooked until they are soft and then mixed with bulgur wheat that has been soaked in water. Finely chopped onions, garlic, parsley, and other herbs and spices such as cumin and paprika are then added to the mixture. The mixture is then shaped into small balls or patties and chilled in the refrigerator.

Mercimekli Kufta is often served as an appetizer or as part of a mezze platter with other Turkish dishes. It can be garnished with fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint, and served with lemon wedges or a yogurt sauce. It is a healthy and delicious dish that is high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Ingredients

2 cups red lentils6 cups water1 cup fine bulghur34 cup Olive Oil3 large onions3 tbsp tomato pasteDry basilSalt & PepperAleoppo Pepper or paprika CuminItalian Parsley – choppedGreen Onions – chopped

Steps

Wash lentils and cook in salted water until soft. Strain the lentils and keep the water on the side.Add Bulghur to the cooked lentils, add some salt and pepper and mix and cover with plastic wrap.In olive oil, sauté finely chopped onions, season with salt, pepper, Aleppo pepper, dried basil, cumin.Then add tomato paste. Add 34 cup of the lentil water that was set aside.Pour onion mixture onto the lentil and bulghur and mix it until well combined. At this point check consistency and add more of the lentil water if needed.Add chopped parsley and green onions to the lentil and mix.Dip your hands into the lentil water while forming the balls. Arrange it in a platter on a bed of lettuce leaves, garnish with chopped parsley and green onions and serve.