Middle Eastern Lentil Kofta Bowl By Sy Food

MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL & KOFTA BOWL BY SY

Steps:

• Mix the kofta ingredients and set aside.
• Put stock in a pot (non-stick Teflon) and after heated add; peas (lentils), celery, onion, tomato paste and let simmer for about 30+ minutes, with the cover on.
• Stirring occasionally.
• When the lentils are three quarters done, reserve about 1/2 cup for later use.
• Remove pot from stove and puree the soup, then back on the stove.
• After the soup is reduced somewhat, add; Semneh Seasonings and puree again.
• Let soup simmer for about 15 minutes, stir often (and make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot).
• When you have a real thick soup add the 1/2 cup reserved lentils and cook for one minutes more.
• The soup should be thick which will allow the koftas, zucchini and red peppers to float on top when added.
• While the soup is cooking, make the koftas.
• Form about 12-16 small flat kofta patties and fry with a little oil (or grilled).
• Make sure that the ground poultry is thoroughly cooked, flatten them with a spatula.
• Put the zucchini and chopped red pepper into a big bowl, add the butter and then into the microwave for about 1 minutes.
• Do not over cook!
• Add the thick lentil soup to each bowl.
• Make a nice looking design around the bowl by placing 2- koftas, 3 slices of zucchini and garnish with red peppers.
• Enjoy, with pita bread and accompanied with hot chili sauce, yogurt sauce, mint sauce, sour cream, sour pickles/vegetables, lemon wedges on the side.

JACOB'S MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse lentils, discarding and stones, or blemished lentils; drain.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot.
• Add onion and bell pepper, cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender.
• Add cumin and ground red pepper and stir 1 minute.
• Pour in the 4 cups of water and the lentils. Bring to a boil and Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
• Stir in salt and simmer 10 minutes more or until lentils are tender.
• Stir in lemon juice and serve.

RED LENTIL KOFTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Combine the red lentils, onion, garlic and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam, reduce the heat, add salt to taste and simmer 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft. Remove the onion half. Add the spinach and simmer for another minute, until it is wilted. Taste and adjust salt.
• Stir the bulgur into the pot, turn off the heat and cover. Let sit for 30 minutes, until the bulgur is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat and add the ground cumin and allspice. Stir for about 15 seconds, until fragrant, then stir into the lentil/bulgur/spinach mixture. Allow to cool, in the refrigerator if you're leaving for more than an hour.
• Moisten your hands with water and knead the mixture in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes, or stir with a rubber spatula. Each time it begins to stick to your hands, moisten them again. For a spicier mixture, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper. Taste and adjust salt.
• Moisten your hands and shape the mixture into walnut-size balls (about 1 inch). You'll have to moisten your hands again whenever the mixture begins to stick to them. Place on a platter, garnish with scallions, radishes, romaine lettuce leaves and lemon wedges, and serve, or chill for several hours. Serve cold or at room temperature.

LENTIL KOFTA WITH ORZO & FETA

Steps:

• Put the lentils, egg, oats, ras el hanout, half the parsley and the lemon zest in a food processer. Add some seasoning and blitz until finely chopped. Remove the blade, shape the mixture into balls the size of cherry tomatoes, then chill for 20 mins. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a pan. Add the garlic, sizzle for 30 secs, then add the tomatoes, sugar and some seasoning. Bubble the sauce for 20-25 mins until rich and thickened. While the sauce cooks, line a baking tray with foil and arrange the kofta on top. Drizzle over the remaining oil, and bake for 20 mins, rolling around in the tray halfway through cooking. Once cooked, add the kofta to the tomato sauce, gently coating each one.
• Cook the orzo following pack instructions, then drain and divide between 4 plates. Top with the sauce and kofta, crumble over the feta and sprinkle with the remaining parsley.

MAJADERA (LENTIL, ONION, AND RICE DISH)

Steps:

• Roughly chop the onions. In a deep pot, heat the oil and add the onions, stirring to coat them.
• Let the onions simmer on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they turn a deep brown or almost black, 15-20 minutes. This is the most important step! It gives most of the flavor to the dish. If necessary, add a little oil to keep the onions from burning.
• Add cumin, cinnamon, and lentils; stir and cook for some seconds.
• Add the water. Bring to a boil, then turn stove to low heat. Let the lentils simmer until soft (about 25-30 minutes; time varies depending on type of lentil).
• Add the rice (or bulgur), salt, and pepper.
• Cover the pot. Cook 10 minutes (or according to the rice instructions). Check after 10 minutes to see if the rice is tender / if needs more water. Turn off heat when done, fluff, and let the rice "rest" for another few minutes with the lid on. Add more salt or pepper if needed.

LAMB KOFTA WITH FATTOUSH

Steps:

• Place the lamb mince (ground lamb), onion, garlic, cumin and coriander in a bowl in a bowl. Using your hands, mix until well-combined; then divide the mixture into 8 portions, and roll into 12-cm long sausages (just under 5 inches).
• Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, spray the lamb kofta with oil; and cook, turning occasionally, for 8 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through.
• Meanwhile, pre-heat the grill on a high heat, grill the pita bread on both sides until toasted and crisp, allow to cool and break into large pieces.
• Combine the parsley, mint, cucumber, capsicum, tomato and green onion in a large bowl; drizzle with oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, sprinkle with sumac, season with salt and pepper, add the pita bread and toss gently to combine; and serve with the lamb kofta.

VEGAN MIDDLE EASTERN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil and saute onions until brown.
• Add vegetables and spices. Pour enough water to barely cover the vegetables.
• Cover and let it to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
• Add chickpeas, salt and pepper and cook another 15 minutes.
• Infuse love and serve with cilantro or parsley on top!