Mercimek Köftesi (Lentil Patties)

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup fine bulgur
• 1 onion
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1½ tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp pepper paste
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 bunch spring onions
• ½ bunch parsley
• 1 lemon
• salt (to taste)
• 1 lettuce

Method

1. Rinse the lentils and simmer them in the water for 15–20 minutes until soft and the water is absorbed.
2. Take off the heat, stir in the bulgur, cover and let it sit for 20 minutes.
3. Cook the finely chopped onion in the olive oil, add the pastes for 2 minutes and mix into the lentils.
4. Knead in the cumin, pepper flakes, salt, chopped spring onions, parsley and lemon juice.
5. With wet hands, squeeze small pieces into shape; serve with lettuce leaves and lemon.