Turkish Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1/2 cup fine bulgur
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp red pepper paste
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Big bunch parsley
• 3 spring onions
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Lettuce leaves to serve

Instructions

1. Cook lentils in 2.5 cups water until soft; pour over bulgur in a bowl.
2. Cover and rest 20 minutes — bulgur absorbs lentil water.
3. Cook onions in oil with tomato and pepper pastes and spices for 10 minutes.
4. Mix into the lentil-bulgur with herbs, spring onion, lemon and salt.
5. Knead 3 minutes — should be sticky.
6. Shape into small ovals with wet hands.
7. Serve cold on lettuce leaves.

Serving suggestions

• Squeeze plenty of lemon and wrap in lettuce.

Storage & reheating

Keeps 3 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is not yet available for this recipe. Values vary with portion size and exact ingredients — we will add verified figures here soon.

Frequently asked questions