Red Lentil Kofte / Mercimek Köftesi
A popular Turkish vegetarian appetizer of spiced red lentil and bulgur patties served on curly lettuce leaves.
veganvegetarian
appetizerbulgurkoftelentilmezze
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentil
- 1/2 cup fine bulgur
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cups of water
- 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp red pepper paste (if you cannot find red pepper paste you can use 2 tbsp tomato paste) (optional)
- ~1 tsp salt
- juice of half or 1 lemon (depends on how you like it: sour or not so sour)
- 1/3 bunch parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 bunch green onion, finely chopped
- curly leaf lettuce
Instructions
- Wash lentils and boil them on medium heat in 2 cups of water until the water is almost gone.
- Once you turn it off, add bulgur and salt. Mix once and cover to let the bulgur expand. Let it cool off.
- Heat oil in a pan and add the onion (not the green one!) and cook until soft.
- Add tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add cumin and stir once you turn it off.
- Add the onion mixture to the lentils which should be cool by now.
- Add lemon juice and half of finely chopped parsley and green onion (reserving the rest to garnish) to the lentils. Mix all well.
- Take walnut-size pieces and shape them into kofte in your hands. Keep a little bowl of water nearby to wet your hands frequently, as the mixture will stick.
- Place lettuce leaves on a serving plate and put koftes on top, or serve koftes and lettuce leaves separately. They go very well together.
Notes
- If you cannot find red pepper paste, use 2 tbsp tomato paste total.
- Lemon quantity depends on preference: use half a lemon for less sour, a whole lemon for more sour.
- Garnish with the reserved parsley and green onion.
Source:
https://www.almostturkishrecipes.com/2009/10/red-lentil-kofte-mercimek-koftesi.html
Almost Turkish Recipes