A Taste of Turkey: The Country's Most Delicious Dishes

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© Getty Images / ribeirorocha

Köfte

These minced meat and bulgur balls are a classic in Turkish cuisine. There are many different variations, but here's our favorite, Icliköfte.

Ingredients (for 6 pieces)

• 1 lbs. 8 oz minced meat (beef or lamb works best)
• 1 1/2 cups bulgur
• A pinch of paprika powder
• A pinch of salt
• 3 onions
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup crushed walnuts
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tsp allspice
• 1 bunch of parsley
• Pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp paprika pulp
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Put the bulgur in a bowl, pour boiling water over, and allow to swell for 30 mins.
2. Chop the onions, and sauté with the garlic in a saucepan until translucent. Add the minced meat and fry everything together until well done.
3. Stir in the spices, tomato paste, and paprika pulp and stir-fry for 2/3 mins.
4. Add a quarter of the minced meat, along with the salt, paprika pulp, and coriande, and knead well.
5. Add the eggs and flour and knead for 5 mins. to form a smooth dough.
   Then form the mixture into small balls of the same size.
6. Press a hole into each of the balls and fill with 2 teaspoons of the mince mixture. 
7. Close the balls well and put them in a pot of boiling, salted water.
8. Cook until they come to the surface of the water by themselves, then take them out and drain.
9. Bake the Icliköfte in the oven until golden brown.