The Vegetarian Useful resource Group Weblog

photograph by Alya Swerling

By Alya Swerling, VRG Intern

Mercimek Köftesi is a standard Turkish dish created from purple lentils and high quality bulgur, generally served as a flavorful appetizer.

Components: 

1 cup purple lentils

1½ cups water

1 cup high quality bulgur

1 small onion (finely chopped)

2 Tablespoons tomato paste

1 Tablespoon purple pepper paste

1-2 Tablespoon(s) olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon black pepper

Salt to style (use calmly)

3-4 inexperienced onions (chopped)

¼ cup recent parsley (chopped)

Lettuce leaves (for serving)

Lemon wedges (elective)

Directions: 

Rinse the lentils and add them to a pot with water. Carry to a boil, then simmer till delicate and a lot of the water is absorbed (about Quarter-hour).

Flip off warmth and stir lentils into the bulgur. Cowl and let sit for 10-Quarter-hour till the bulgur softens.

In a pan, warmth a small quantity of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion till delicate. Add tomato paste and pepper paste, cooking for a couple of minutes to deepen the flavour.

Combine the onion combination into the lentil-bulgur combination. Add cumin, black pepper, and a small quantity of salt. Combine properly.

Let the combination cool barely, then stir in inexperienced onions and parsley. Form into small oval balls utilizing your fingers. Serve on lettuce leaves with lemon wedges.