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EasyAppetizersveganCC0 1.0 Universal
Turkish Red Lentil and Bulgur Finger Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)
Turkey's beloved plant-based finger food: red lentils cooked tender and combined with fine bulgur, seasoned with sautéed onions, pepper pastes, cumin, scallions, and herbs, hand-molded into finger-grooved patties served in crisp lettuce cups.
Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
40 min
Ingredients
servings
6
- Dried red lentils, rinsed200 g
- Fine wheat bulgur (köftelik)150 g
- Yellow onion, finely minced1 pc
- Tomato paste and Turkish red pepper paste2 tbsp
- Extra virgin olive oil50 ml
- Fresh scallions, finely sliced4 stalk
- Fresh parsley, chopped4 tbsp
- Ground cumin1 tsp
- Salt1 tsp
Preparation Steps
1
Boil red lentils in 600 ml water for 15 minutes until mushy and soft. Remove from heat, stir in fine bulgur, cover tightly, and rest 15 minutes to steam and absorb all moisture.
30 min timer
2
Sauté minced onion in olive oil for 5 minutes, stir in tomato and pepper pastes for 2 minutes. Pour sizzling mixture into lentil-bulgur base with cumin and salt, knead by hand once slightly cooled.
8 min timer
3
Fold in chopped scallions and fresh parsley. Take walnut-sized portions and squeeze firmly in your palm to create finger-grooved oblong patties. Arrange on a platter lined with crisp lettuce leaves and lemon wedges.
10 min timer
Cooking Journal
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Nutrition Facts
per servingCalories
240
Protein
9.5g
Carbohydrates
36g
Fat
7g
Allergens
Gluten
*estimated values per serving
Provenance & Public Domain Audit
Source: Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Culinary Archives / USDA Public Domain Collection (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Levantine Culinary Heritage)
Legal status: Public Domain (17 U.S.C. § 105) • 17 U.S.C. § 105
License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
