Kofte Turkish Food

TURKISH KOFTA RECIPE

Steps:

• Traditionally we make the kofte mixture by hand by grating the onions, chopping fresh herbs if used, and mixing the other ingredients in a bowl well. But you can easily do these steps in a food processor. If your food processor isn't so big you can only chop the onion and parsley and continue mixing in a bowl
• In a food processor add onion cut in four, parsley. If you are using stale bread soak it in water to soften then squeeze out excess water and add to the onion parsley mixture. Process until they have fine pieces, avoid over-processing, and don't make it like a puré.
• Add the ground meat, spices, and baking soda if using. Drop 3-4 drops of lemon juice over the baking soda and mix everything by pulsing until is it evenly incorporated.
• Dip your hand into the water from time to time and get smaller than mandarine size mixture and first shape into a ball and press it to make a disk. It comes together when cooks and becomes thicker so consider that while shaping.
• Heat the cast iron griddle or non-stick frying pan or grill. Brush it with vegetable oil. Add kofte pieces leaving space between them and cook on medium heat until both sides and inside are fully cooked.
• Meanwhile cut the tomatoes in big wedges and cook on the griddle or grill with green peppers.
• Serve the koftes with pilav and grilled veggies. You can also make coban salad, or cacik (yogurt-cucumber sauce) to serve.

TURKISH 'KOFTE' SANDWICH

Steps:

• Chop onions, 1 clove of garlic and parsley.
• Mix the onions, garlic and parsley with the ground beef and a bit of salt and pepper.
• With your hands make walnut shaped little meatballs.
• You can either grill the meatballs, or cook them in some olive oil.
• In the meantime, mix the yoghurt with garlic and mint.
• Slice tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber.
• Now take a turkish bread (flat, round thick bread) cut in 4 squares, open them and 'butter up' the bread with the yoghurt dressing.
• Put in lettuce tomatoes, cucumbers and meatballs, and finish with some extra yoghurt dressing.

LAMB KöFTE WITH YOGURT SAUCE AND MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• For yogurt sauce:
• Stir all ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Cover and chill.
• For Köfte:
• Line large rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap. Gently mix lamb and next 8 ingredients in large bowl. Using moistened hands and scant 2 tablespoonfuls for each, roll meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Arrange on sheet.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place large sheet of foil on work surface. Heat large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add flatbreads to skillet 1 at a time; cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Enclose in foil; place in oven to keep warm.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer onions to 1 side of large rimmed baking sheet; place in oven to keep warm.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to same skillet; heat over medium-high heat. Sauté half of meatballs until just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet in oven. Repeat with remaining meatballs, adding oil to skillet if dry. Reserve skillet.
• For muhammara:
• Add roasted peppers to reserved skillet; stir 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses. Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits. Cook until reduced to 2/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Mix in parsley. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more pomegranate molasses, if desired. Transfer to small bowl.
• Arrange onions and meatballs on platter. Serve with warm breads, yogurt sauce, and muhammara.
• Available at some supermarkets, natural foods stores, and Middle Eastern markets.
• ** A thick pomegranate syrup; available at some supermarkets, at Middle Eastern markets, and from adrianascaravan.com.

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.