İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Balls)
İçli Köfte, or stuffed bulgur balls, is a cherished Turkish dish that combines a crispy exterior with a savory filling, delivering an explosion of flavors in every bite. Perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners, these golden treasures are sure to impress friends and family alike. The recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a wonderful addition to your culinary repertoire.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup flour (for coating)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Soak the bulgur wheat in warm water for 30 minutes until softened. Drain excess water.
- In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion in oil until translucent. Add ground meat, toasted pine nuts, and spices; cook until browned (about 10 minutes). Let cool.
- In a bowl, mix softened bulgur with salt and pepper. Flatten small portions into cups and fill each with about a teaspoon of the meat mixture; mold into balls.
- Roll each ball in flour for coating.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry köftes until golden brown on all sides (about 3 minutes per batch).
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with yogurt or lemon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 köftes (85g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg