Mercimek Koftesi (Turkish lentil-bulgur balls)

Name: Mercimek Koftesi (Turkish lentil-bulgur balls)
Cuisine: Asian, Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 1 cup red lentils; 1 cup fine bulgur; 2 tbsp oil; 1 onion, chopped; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste, or sub 2 puréed tomatoes; 1 red bell pepper, roasted and puréed; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp salt, to taste; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; 1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped; 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped; a bunch mint leaves, chopped; romaine lettuce, for serving; fresh lemon juice, for serving

8 steps

Updated at: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:11:31 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Great

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories46.9 kcal (2%)

Total Fat1 g (1%)

Carbs8 g (3%)

Sugars0.5 g (1%)

Protein2.2 g (4%)

Sodium37.3 mg (2%)

Fiber1.6 g (6%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

35 servings

2 cupswater

2 Tbspoil

2 Tbsptomato paste

or sub 2 puréed tomatoes

1red bell pepper

roasted and puréed

1 tspground cumin

1 tsppaprika

½ tspsalt

to taste

½ tspground black pepper

½ cupscallions

finely chopped

1 cupfresh parsley

Instructions

Step 1

Bring the water to a boil then add the lentil and cook, covered, on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until the lentils are soft and absorbed most of the water.

Step 2

Stir in the bulgur, turn off the heat then set aside, covered, for 15-20 minutes, until the bulgur is soft.

Step 3

Heat the oil over medium.

Step 4

Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.

Step 5

Add the red pepper, tomato paste, spices and cook for a minute.

Step 6

Add the onion mixture to the lentil mixture along with the chopped herbs and mix well.

Step 7

With dampened hands, shape the lentil mixture into small oval balls.