{"id":"icli_kofte_1798e8cee6","slug":"icli-kofte-stuffed-bulgur-shells","title":"İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Shells)","description":"A classic Mediterranean delicacy consisting of a crisp, thin bulgur shell filled with a savory mixture of sautéed ground meat, aromatic spices, and crunchy walnuts.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":60,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g ground beef (low fat)","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"lean","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 large onions, finely diced","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"large","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g butter","name":"Butter","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"unsalted","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"50g walnuts, crushed","name":"Walnuts","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"crushed","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped","name":"Chopped Parsley","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp Aleppo pepper or paprika","name":"Aleppo Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"or red pepper flakes","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"400g fine bulgur (dark or light)","name":"Bulgur Wheat","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"fine","notes":"köftelik bulgur","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"80g semolina","name":"Semolina","quantity":80,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"60g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"","notes":"large","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 tbsp pepper paste","name":"Pepper Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"hot or sweet","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"500ml warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"for soaking bulgur","group":"Shell","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-15","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"for deep frying","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pan, melt the butter and sauté the diced onions until translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the salt, black pepper, Aleppo pepper, and crushed walnuts. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped parsley, and let the mixture cool completely (refrigerate if possible).","group":"Prepare Filling","title":"In a large pan, melt the butter and sauté the diced onions","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Filling"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a mixing bowl, combine the fine bulgur and semolina. Pour the warm water over the mixture, cover, and let it sit for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the bulgur softens.","group":"Prepare Shell","title":"Combine the fine bulgur and semolina","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Shell"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the tomato paste, pepper paste, egg, flour, and a pinch of salt to the bulgur mixture. Knead the dough for at least 15-20 minutes, wetting your hands occasionally, until it becomes a smooth, elastic, paste-like consistency that doesn't crack.","group":"Knead Shell","title":"Add the tomato paste, pepper paste, egg, flour, and a pinch of salt","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Knead Shell"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Take a lemon-sized piece of dough. Using wet fingers, poke a hole in the center and rotate the dough in your palm, thinning the walls with your thumb until you have a thin, hollow tube or cup. Place a tablespoon of the cold meat filling inside. Pinch the top to seal and shape into a spindle or oval shape.","group":"Shaping","title":"Take a lemon-sized piece of dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (177°C). Carefully drop the köftes into the hot oil in batches. Fry until they are deep golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"The secret to a perfect içli köfte is a very thin shell and a cold filling. Prepare the meat filling a day ahead or chill it thoroughly so the fat solidifies, making it easier to stuff.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["appetizer","main"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Large pan","Large mixing bowl","Deep fryer or heavy pot","Paper towels"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","tree_nuts","eggs"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 24 medium-sized shells"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The filling can be made 2 days in advance. The shaped raw köftes can be frozen on a tray and then transferred to bags for up to 3 months."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store fried leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (177°C) to maintain crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ficli_kofte_1798e8cee6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ccdd9652-688a-4b83-ab39-047e58d2321f","imageAlt":"İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Shells) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["stuffed bulgur","kibbeh","turkish cuisine","traditional","crispy","savory"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Shells)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:36:25.540Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:36:25.540Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}