Home Recipes Salads & meze Mercimek köftesi – red lentil balls
From our kitchenMercimek köftesi – red lentil balls
Mercimek köftesi are the star of every Turkish tea table: red lentils and fine bulgur kneaded with onions, pastes and herbs. Vegan, cheap and perfect to make ahead.
Method
Cook the lentils in 700 ml water for 15 minutes until soft and the water is absorbed.
Stir in the bulgur, take off the heat and let it swell covered for 15 minutes.
Finely dice the onions, soften in olive oil and stir in the pastes.
Knead the onion mixture, spices, chopped parsley and spring onions into the lentil mass.
Shape elongated balls with wet hands and serve with lettuce leaves and lemon.
Tip from the storeFine bulgur (köftelik) and red lentils come in 1 kg packs here – enough for two batches.