Mercimek Koftesi

Name: Mercimek Koftesi
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 1 cup red lentils, rinsed; 3 cups water; 1 cup fine bulgur; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp red pepper paste; 4 scallions, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp pul biber; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Savory red lentil patties blended with fine bulgur, sautéed aromatics, fresh herbs, and warm Turkish spices. Served at room temperature wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.

45 minEasyServes 6210 cal/serving

TurkishAppetizerStovetopVeganVegetarianMediterraneanHigh FiberHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeSoy-FreeLow-SodiumCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 cup red lentils, rinsed
3 cups water
1 cup fine bulgur
1/3 cup olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp red pepper paste
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp pul biber
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1

Place 1 cup rinsed red lentils and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
2

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until red lentils are soft.
3

Stir in 1 cup fine bulgur, remove from heat, cover tightly, and let steam for 15 minutes.
4

Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1 finely diced yellow onion, and cook for 5 minutes until translucent.
5

Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp red pepper paste to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
6

Transfer onion mixture to the bulgur mixture, stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp pul biber, and 1 tsp salt, then cool slightly.
7

Fold in 4 thinly sliced scallions, 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, then knead mixture by hand until smooth and cohesive.
8

Shape portions into hand-squeezed oblong patties with finger marks and serve.

Questions

Can I make Mercimek Koftesi gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup fine bulgur. Swap the grain for cooked rice or quinoa (the chew will differ). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Mercimek Koftesi keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Mercimek Koftesi?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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