EASY POTATO KOFTES ( Kolay patates koftesi )

These vegetarian  koftes are ideal for entertaining or for a quick snack when hungry. It takes 10- 15 minutes to prepare in total. Serves 2.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 medium potatoes, about 300 g peeled and diced 
• 1/2 a cup fine bulgur ( fine cracked wheat ), about 50 g
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 tbsp olive oil or little less if you are cutting down on fats
• 3 spring onions, chopped finely
• 2 level tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2-3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1/2 tsp dried herbs
• salt and black pepper

1) Boil the diced potatoes in salted water until cooked. Drain and set aside.

2) In a separate bowl pour boiling water over the bulgur, cover and let it rest for 5 minutes until all the water absorbed.

3) Mash the potatoes, add soaked bulgur, tomato paste, spring onions, olive oil, parsley, spices, salt and pepper. Mix well together to bind.

4) Take a walnut size of the mixture and shape it like little sausages. 

5) Transfer the koftes on a serving plate and sprinkle with chopped spring onions. Serve them  with salad of your chose. I served mine with : red cabbage, celery and parsley salad.

SAVOURY RICE WITH CHICKEN AND MEATBALLS(Tavuk ve kofteli pilav )

This savoury rice dish is a all in one meal, great for parties and family get together.

YOU NEED

• 200g  mince
• 1 small onion, chopped
• salt , black pepper
• oil for frying
• 1 or 2 chicken breast, diced
• 1 aubergine, cut into small pieces
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 cup rice, washed
• 2-3 cups of chicken stock or hot water
• 1 cup chick peas
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2-3 tbsp parsley and dill.

METHOD

 

First make the meatballs by  mixing the onion, mince, salt and pepper in a food processor. Shape them into little round shapes and fry them in oil on a medium heat until they are brown. Drain and set aside. Then add the chicken pieces to the same pan and sallow fry until golden. Add more oil if necessary.

When the chicken pieces are cooked add the onion,  garlic, aubergine, red pepper  and cook all together for 5-7 minutes. Then add the rice, water, chick peas, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Return the meat balls to the pan. Stir and mix well with the rest of the ingredients. Bring it to boil, then turn the heat to low and cook the rice with the lid on for 10-15 minutes or until all the stock is absorbed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and dill just before serving.

This dish is nice if it is mushy in consistency like risotto or paella. Enjoy...

KOFTE WITH TOMATO SAUCE ( Salcali kofte )

YOU NEED

• 400 g steak mince
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, diced
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• Plain flour to coat the koftes
• Some oil for frying the koftes

FOR THE SAUCE

• 1 small onion, chopped finely
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
• Enough water to cover the koftes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• More parsley for serving

METHOD

First chop the shallot or small onion and the garlic finely. Add to the mince together with cumin powder, salt and pepper. Mix it well by hand or pulse it in a food processor until all mixed together. Then take the pieces of the mixture about a teaspoon at a time and roll each into a small round. Coat each kofte with flour then brown them in the oil in a large frying pan. When the koftes browned transfer them to a plate.

Prepare the sauce in the same frying pan with remaining juices. Add more oil if necessary to fry the onions first, then add the tomato paste some water, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Now add the koftes into the simmering sauce add more water to cover the koftes. Cover the pan and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with some more parsley just before serving. Serve with rice and salad. Serves 4.

TURKISH SHISH KOFTE ( sis koftesi )

INGREDIENTS

• 400 g steak mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 egg
• 1-2 slice of bread
• bunch of fresh parsley
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp salt

GRILLING

Onions, peppers and tomatoes, chopped into cubes for grilling.

METHOD

Put mince and the rest of the ingredients in a food processor and blend it until it is all mixed together. Make them into walnut size meat balls and arrange it on a skewer with onions, peppers and tomatoes. Brush them with olive oil and grill or barbecue turning them occasionally until browned nicely.

Serve the koftes on bed of rice or nice with pitta bread. Serves 4.