Chef Flower S Turkish Cypriot Fried Meatballs Kibrisli Kofte Food

CHEF FLOWER'S TURKISH CYPRIOT FRIED MEATBALLS - KIBRISLI KOFTE /

Steps:

• Peel and finely grate potatoes, place them in a bowl and sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon salt, set aside.
• In a separate large bowl, place ground/minced chicken or beef, onion, parsley, egg, cinnamon, mint, salt and black pepper.
• Potatoes have excess liquids and with this recipe you need to remove all the excess liquids. In a large strainer, kneed all liquids out of the grated potatoes with only leaving the potatoes flesh.
• Then add the potato with the rest of the ingredients and mix them together. If the mixture is a little sticky you may need to add more potatoes.
• With your hand mould the kofte into a small long patty about 5cm x 2cm (2 inch x 1/2 inch) then place them on a tray, repeat this until all the mixture is finish. When placing the kofte's on a tray do not allow them to touch each other as they may stick together.
• Heat oil in a frying pan or deep fryer add kofte one by one in the pan without touching each other. Flip them over once they are brown and then let the other side brown. Remove onto serving platter, then repeat this step until all kofte's are finished, then serve.
• Could be served as finger food, entree or a main dish with Turkish Cacik (yoghurt sauce) and garden salad.

TURKISH MEATBALLS (KOFTA)

Steps:

• Make the bread crumbs by breaking up 2 slices of stale but not dried out whole wheat bread into the bowl of a food processor.
• Whizz until finely crumbed.
• Add the ground lamb and the egg, and process until blended.
• Add the spices, garlic and parsley.
• Process the meat well to achieve a fine texture.
• Roll the mixture into small meatballs (I use a melonballer) or finger shaped patties using dampened hands.
• You may cook them at once, or refrigerate the mixture for several hours.
• (If your meat is very fresh, you can divide it in half and wrap part well in plastic for the next day's meal.) Heat the oil in a heavy skillet, and fry the balls or patties until cooked through and evenly browned.
• The meatballs should be stirred several times, the patties turned once.
• Remove them with a slotted spoon to drain.
• Serve the meatballs hot or at room temperature as an appetizer.
• Lovely with a yogurt or tahini sauce, on a bed of rice or in a pita.

KOFTE - TURKISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl add all the ingredients and lightly combine mixture. Set aside in the fridge for the flavors to meld at least 2 to 4 hours.
• Form the mixture into balls then roll between your palms into sausage shapes.
• Add a little olive oil on a cookie sheet covered with foil and bake for 35 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until Kofte is cooked through.
• Serve with pita bread and a salad.

CHEF FLOWER'S CRACKED WHEAT PILAF - KIBRISLI BULGUR PILAVI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small saucepan with lid. Add onion, mix until the onions are transparent. Reduce heat to low and add vermicelli, mix, simmer for two minutes or until the vermicelli looks golden (but not burnt).
• Add bulgur into the saucepan, mix then add the chicken/vegetable stock, tomatoes and season. (Do not add salt if your stock is high in salt), Mix well.
• Cover the pan and simmer very gently heat for four minutes, until the mixture is moist but not watery. If is too dry add more chicken/vegetable stock. Turn off heat.
• Cover with tea towel, place the lid tightly on top and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.