I'd like to thank to Tarik, the master of cig kofte, for this delicious recipe.
3-4 big onions
¼ cup lemon juice
1 lb lean ground beef
2 tomatoes
5-6 cloves garlic
¼ cup canola oil
2 lb fine bulgur (cracked wheat)
2-3 Tbsp salt
5-6 Tbsp isot (crushed hot pepper)
1-2 Tbsp cumin
750 gr red hot pepper paste/ tomato and pepper paste mix
Process the onions in food processor. Then, take it along with bulgur in a large mixing bowl. Rub the mixture in between your palms, to give bulgur a full onion flavor (about 10 minutes). Add pepper paste/ pepper and tomato mix paste, salt, isot and cumin. Keep rubbing all the ingredients in between your palms pressing hard. Then, add the ground beef and push the mixture through the bottom of the bowl strongly. Dip your hands in cold/ ice water occasionally to ease the process. Keep kneading for about 30 minutes and make sure the bulgur is softens enough.
Meanwhile, crush tomato and garlic in the food processor, and then add into the bulgur mixture. Add lemon juice and canola oil as well. Knead for a couple of minutes and grab walnut size pieces or bigger if desired. Place them right inside your palm and squeeze gently to give the right shape as seen in the picture.
Serve with lemon wedges and lettuce leaves.
This recipe yields to 120-130 pieces of cig kofte.
Serving size: 6-8 pieces
ENJOY
