{"id":"mercimek_koftesi_555c21a373","slug":"red-lentil-patties-mercimek-koftesi","title":"Red Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)","description":"A traditional Turkish Mediterranean delight made with red lentils and fine bulgur, seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. These vegan patties are healthy, high in fiber, and perfect for a light lunch or appetizer.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":65,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup red lentils","name":"Red Lentils","quantity":190,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"dried","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"3 cups water","name":"Water","quantity":750,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1.5 cups fine bulgur","name":"Bulgur Wheat","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 large onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"large","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tablespoons tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":32,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tablespoon red pepper paste","name":"Red Pepper Paste","quantity":16,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"Turkish Biber Salçası","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 teaspoon cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"or to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes","name":"Red Pepper Flakes","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"Aleppo pepper preferred","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"5 stalks green onions, finely chopped","name":"Green Onion","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"scallions","group":"Fresh Herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped","name":"Chopped Parsley","quantity":0.5,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"bunch","form":"chopped","notes":"flat-leaf","group":"Fresh Herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"1 lemon, juiced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"juiced","notes":"","group":"Finishing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-15","original":"Lettuce leaves for serving","name":"Lettuce","quantity":1,"unit":"head","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"head","form":"whole leaves","notes":"Romaine or Butter lettuce","group":"Serving","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the red lentils and place them in a pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the lentils are soft and most of the water has been absorbed.","group":"Base Preparation","title":"Rinse the red lentils","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Base Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fine bulgur. Cover the pot with a tight lid and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes until the bulgur has softened and absorbed the remaining liquid.","group":"Base Preparation","title":"Remove the pot from the heat","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Base Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until the onion becomes translucent.","group":"Sauté","title":"Heat the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Sauté"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the tomato paste, red pepper paste, salt, cumin, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.","group":"Sauté","title":"Add the tomato paste, red pepper paste, salt, cumin, and red pepper flakes","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Sauté"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Transfer the bulgur and lentil mixture into a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared onion and paste mixture over it. Once it is cool enough to handle, knead the mixture until all ingredients are well combined and the texture is smooth.","group":"Assembly","title":"Transfer the bulgur and lentil mixture","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the finely chopped green onions, parsley, and lemon juice. Knead briefly to distribute the herbs evenly throughout the mixture.","group":"Assembly","title":"Add the finely chopped green onions, parsley, and lemon juice","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Take walnut-sized pieces of the mixture and squeeze them in your palm to form small, elongated patties. The finger marks on the patties are a traditional characteristic of the dish.","group":"Assembly","title":"Take walnut-sized pieces of the mixture and squeeze them","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Arrange the patties on a serving platter lined with fresh lettuce leaves. Garnish with lemon wedges.","group":"Serving","title":"Arrange the patties","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Always use fine bulgur (köftelik bulgur) for the best texture. If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a tablespoon of warm water while kneading. Serve chilled or at room temperature wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves with an extra squeeze of lemon.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["boil","saute","noCook"],"equipment":["pot","frying pan","large mixing bowl","serving platter"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","high_protein","low_fat","mediterranean"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":30,"unit":"piece","note":"Approximately 30 small patties"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The mixture can be prepared and kept in the fridge for a few hours before shaping. Once shaped, keep them covered so they don't dry out."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"These are best enjoyed at room temperature; do not reheat as they may become crumbly."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmercimek_koftesi_555c21a373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f91e1d08-26de-494a-9126-29901440423f","imageAlt":"Red Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lentils","bulgur","vegan","turkish","appetizer","healthy","high fiber","mezze"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Red Lentil Patties (Mercimek Köftesi)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:39:19.711Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:39:19.711Z","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}]}