İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Balls)
İçli Köfte, or Stuffed Bulgur Balls, are a beloved Turkish delicacy that tantalize your taste buds with a crispy exterior and a savory filling of ground meat, onions, and aromatic spices. Perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in, these flavorful bites promise to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings. Follow this simple recipe to create a dish that captures the essence of traditional Turkish cuisine, bringing warmth and joy to your table.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
- ½ lb lean ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (for coating)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Soak the bulgur in warm water for about 30 minutes until soft; drain excess water.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions until translucent. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in pine nuts, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper; cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Shape soaked bulgur into small cups in your palm, fill with the meat mixture, and seal tightly into balls.
- Set up a coating station: dip each ball in flour, then eggs, followed by breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat and fry the köfte until golden brown on all sides (about 3 minutes per side).
- Transfer cooked köfte onto paper towels to absorb excess oil and serve warm with yogurt or tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 köfte (50g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg