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Vegetarian

Vegetarian çiğ köfte with salad

Vegetarian çiğ köfte are Turkish bulgur balls spiced with tomato paste and pepper, no cooking required. This easy recipe serves 4, takes 45 minutes, and costs €1.50 per serving. The key to success is long kneading, at least ten minutes, which plumps the bulgur and binds the mixture without egg or meat.

Tonight, spiced Turkish bulgur balls, no cooking required, wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.

Vegetarian çiğ köfte with salad
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.50
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Soaked bulgur turns soft with a slight bite, carried by tomato paste, sweet pepper paste, and cumin. Lemon juice adds a sharp note that wakes everything up, while parsley and scallions bring freshness to every bite. It's spiced without being fiery, and it's meant to be eaten with your hands.

This is the dish for a night when you don't feel like turning on the oven or a single pot. Kids love rolling their own ball into a lettuce leaf, and guests are often curious to try this Turkish recipe. Just plan some kneading time ahead, the rest comes together fast.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Fine bulguroften in the pantry 250 g
  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Sweet pepper paste 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 tsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 2
  • Scallions 4
  • Flat leaf parsley 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Lemon 1
  • Lettuce 2
  • Tomatoes 3

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over the bulgur and cover for 15 minutes so it swells. 15 min

    The water should just cover the bulgur, it rehydrates without turning mushy.

  2. Sauté the chopped onion in olive oil with the garlic, then add the tomato paste and pepper paste.

    Cook the tomato paste for one minute, it loses its sharpness and tastes rounder.

  3. Mix everything with the warm bulgur, cumin, salt, and lemon juice, then knead vigorously. 10 min

    Wet your hands from time to time with cold water, the mixture won't stick.

  4. Stir in the chopped scallions and parsley, then shape small oblong balls with your palm.

    Press each ball in your hand, the finger marks are the signature look of çiğ köfte.

  5. Serve the balls with lettuce leaves, tomato wedges, and a squeeze of lemon.

    Roll the ball in the leaf like a small wrap and bite in.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a truly fine bulgur, it absorbs water more evenly and gives smoother balls.
  • Taste the mixture before shaping the balls and adjust the salt or pepper paste, this is your last chance to fix the seasoning.
  • Shape the balls right before serving, they lose their shape if they sit too long in the fridge.

The variations

  • Swap the sweet pepper paste for mild chili powder or a mild hot sauce if you can't find it.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of hot chili powder alongside the cumin.
  • For kids, cut the pepper paste by half and serve lemon on the side so everyone can adjust to taste.

What to serve it with

  • Crisp lettuce leaves for wrapping
  • Extra lemon wedges
  • Turkish black tea or cold water

Storage

Store shaped balls in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days. They don't freeze well, the bulgur turns mushy once thawed. Serve them cold or at room temperature, never reheated.

Questions about this dish

Can you make çiğ köfte ahead of time?

You can prepare the mixture a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Shape the balls just before serving so they hold their shape well.

Do you really need to knead for that long?

Yes, the ten minute kneading is what binds the mixture without egg or meat. This step plumps the bulgur and gives the balls their signature texture.

Can you use medium bulgur instead of fine bulgur?

Fine bulgur is best because it rehydrates faster and gives a smoother mixture. Medium bulgur results in a coarser texture and needs a longer soaking time.

How do you know the mixture is kneaded enough?

The mixture should turn pliable and hold its shape easily without cracking at the edges. If it still sticks too much to your hands after ten minutes, keep going while wetting your hands.

How long does it take to make vegetarian çiğ köfte with a salad?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in vegetarian çiğ köfte with a salad?

About 520 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does vegetarian çiğ köfte with a salad cost?

About €1.50 per serving, or €6.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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