Best Armenian Bulgur And Potato Balls Recipes

ARMENIAN BULGUR AND POTATO BALLS

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes; boil in the skins until tender, then drain, remove skins, and mash.
• Place bulgur in a small bowl and cover with cold water and set aside for 5 minutes; then drain in a sieve, pressing to get all the water out as possible.
• Mix together potato, bulgur, flour, salt and pepper, blending into a thick paste.
• Place onion and oil in a skillet and sauté until onion is tender, then place in a bowl with remaining filling ingredients; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Shape bulgur/potato mixture into balls and flatten in your hands; place a teaspoon or so of filling in the center of the flattened potato mixture and close up the potato part around it, forming a smooth oval shaped ball.
• Repeat with remaining paste and filling.
• Heat oil and deep fry balls several at a time for about 6-8 minutes, turning to brown both sides; drain on paper toweling before serving.
• Serve hot or warm.

MERCIMEK KOFTESI (LENTIL BALLS)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the lentils, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and have absorbed most of the water, about 10 minutes. Stir in the bulgur and remove from the heat. Cover and set aside until the bulgur is very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small skillet over low heat, heat the oil and add the onion, sautéing until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato and pepper pastes and mix well. Remove from the heat and cool. Add cumin, crushed red pepper and black pepper. Season with salt to taste.
• Add the onion mixture to the lentil mixture and toss to mix. Add the scallions and parsley, mixing gently. Line a platter or individual serving plates with lettuce leaves. With dampened hands, form the lentil mixture into oval walnut-size balls, placing them on top of the lettuce. Serve immediately, or cover lightly and refrigerate up to one hour.

EECH (ARMENIAN BULGUR SIDE DISH)

Steps:

• Chop onion and peppers into a small dice or pulse them in a food processor.
• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and add diced vegetables.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and saute 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• Add can of tomato sauce, tomato paste and the juice of the 2 lemons. Fill the tomato can with water and add that to the pan.
• Bring to a boil and add paprika, salt and pepper.
• Add the bulgur, remove from heat, cover the pan and let sit until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender (about 1/2 hour).
• Stir in chopped parsley.
• Can be eaten immediately, within a couple hours, or refrigerate and eat later.