Meatless Cig Kofte

Street-style meatless cig kofte: a spicy bulgur paste with isot pepper and pomegranate molasses, kneaded long and pressed by hand. Vegan and a fiber source; eaten as a meze or light dinner.

Ingredients

• 400 g fine bulgur (raw)
• 720 g (about 3 cups) hot water
• 100 g red pepper paste
• 80 g tomato paste
• 25 g red pepper flakes (isot)
• 200 g onion
• 20 g garlic
• 90 g olive oil
• 40 g (2 tbsp) pomegranate molasses
• 30 g (2 tbsp) lemon juice
• 60 g parsley
• 60 g green onions
• 5 g (2 tsp) cumin
• 3 g (1 tsp) black pepper
• 15 g salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the bulgur in a large bowl, pour over half of the hot water, cover and let it swell for 15 minutes; the rest of the water goes in while kneading.

2. 2

   Grate the onion and garlic or blitz them to a paste in a food processor.

3. 3

   Add the onion-garlic paste, red pepper paste, tomato paste, pepper flakes, cumin, black pepper and salt to the bulgur.

4. 4

   Wearing gloves, knead firmly for 20-25 minutes, adding the remaining water little by little until the mixture is soft and slightly sticky.

5. 5

   Add the olive oil, pomegranate molasses and lemon juice and knead for 5 more minutes.

6. 6

   Finely chop the parsley and green onions and work them into the mixture until evenly distributed.

7. 7

   Take walnut-sized pieces and squeeze them in your palm to leave finger ridges; chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Per serving