Traditional Turkish Icli Kofte
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups fine bulgur
- 2 cups semolina
- 5 cups hot water
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground pepper
- approximately 1 tablespoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or butter
- 750 grams medium-fat ground meat
- 5 medium onions
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Preparation
Mix all dough ingredients together, knead until well combined, and let rest for 30 minutes to allow bulgur to soften.
In a separate pan, cook the filling ingredients by sautéing onions and garlic in oil or butter until softened, then add ground meat and spices, cooking until meat is browned and fully cooked.
Shape the rested dough into small balls or ovals, create a hollow in each, stuff with the prepared filling, and seal carefully to form stuffed köfte.
Cook the stuffed köfte by boiling in salted water until they float and are cooked through, or fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
Remove from heat, drain if necessary, and serve hot.
