Cig Kofte
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
191 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern, Turkish
Cig Kofte
Description
The Cig Kofte recipe involves soaking fine bulgur in warm water, then mixing it thoroughly with ground walnuts, aromatic spices such as coriander, seven spices or allspice, black pepper, red chili flakes, paprika, cumin powder, and optional sumac. Fresh ingredients like garlic, diced onion, lemon juice, olive oil, roasted red pepper paste, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, and finely chopped parsley are combined, adding layers of flavor and moisture. Ice cubes are incorporated during mixing to maintain a cool temperature and achieve the right texture.
After mixing, the blend firms up and is shaped into small kofte patties or fingers, commonly enjoyed as a vegetarian appetizer or light meal. The mixture's balanced flavors are lively yet grounded, offering both spice and acidity without overpowering heat.
It's best to refrigerate the mixture for one to two hours or overnight to make shaping easier and the texture firmer. Leftover kofte keeps well in the refrigerator for several days when tightly covered. This dish represents a traditional preparation that focuses on ingredients and technique to yield a satisfying vegetarian alternative to versions that include raw meat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bulgur fine
- 2 cups water warm
- 1/2 cup walnut ground
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon seven spices or allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sumac optional
- 3 garlic minced cloves
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 lemon juice of
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup roasted red peppers blended into a paste
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add the bulgur and warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer, and mix for 20 seconds until combined. Remove the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes in order for the bulgur to absorb the water.
- Add all the remaining ingredients, the walnuts, salt, dried coriander, all spice, cumin, black pepper, red chili flakes, sumac, chili powder, paprika, minced garlic, diced onion, lemon juice, olive oil, roasted red pepper paste, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, and diced parsley.
- Mix on low speed for 20 minutes. Every 5 minutes, add in 2 ice cubes until you've added 6 total. This adds a little liquid to the mixture and also prevents it from getting too warm while mixing.
- Once the 20 minutes is over, you can form the kofte patties. To make the kofte easier to work with, you can refrigerate the bulgur mix for an hour or two (or overnight) or you can proceed in shaping them right away.
- Place about 2 heaped tablespoon of bulgur dough into the palm of your hand, and make a fist, squeezing your fingers on top of the dough to make some indentations. Alternately, you can form little kebab shaped patties and press your fingers on top to make the indentations. (check out the video to see these methods). Repeat with all the bulgur mix.
- Serve with lettuce leaves and lemon wedges on the side, you can place the kofte into the lettuce to enjoy!
Notes
- This vegetarian Cig Kofte omits raw meat, relying on bulgur and walnuts for texture and richness.
- You can leave out dried herbs if unavailable or adjust to taste.
- If the mixture feels too soft for shaping, refrigerate it for 1-2 hours to firm it up before forming patties.
- To make it nut-free, simply omit the walnuts from the recipe.
- Leftover Cig Kofte can be stored tightly covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- For convenience, you can prepare the mixture in advance and refrigerate it tightly covered overnight, shaping and serving later.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 191kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Sodium | 617mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 267mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 384IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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