Best Turkish Beef Patties With Confetti Couscous Recipes

TURKISH BOREK

Steps:

• In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the peppers, pul biber and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the beef and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 15 minutes. Transfer the vegetables and meat to a bowl and let cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lightly oil a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and 1/2 cup of the canola oil. Lay a sheet of yufka on a work surface and brush with the egg mixture; repeat until you have a stack of 2 sheets. Transfer the stack to the baking dish and spread one-third of the beef mixture on top. Repeat the layering twice more with the brushed yufka sheets and beef filling, then end with a stack of brushed yufka.
• Trim the overhanging yufka slightly and tuck it under itself. Brush any remaining egg mixture on top of the borek, top with the nigella sativa seeds and bake until deeply golden on top and sizzling, about 45 minutes. Let the borek rest for 20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

TACO SALAD WITH SPICED BEEF PATTIES

Steps:

• Toss the lettuce, tomatoes, corn, 3/4 cup pico de gallo and the vinegar in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates or shallow bowls.
• Shape the ground beef into four 4-inch-wide patties and season both sides with the taco seasoning and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until well browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Top each salad with 1 beef patty. Drizzle any juices from the skillet over the patties. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup pico de gallo and dollop with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the cheese and tortilla strips.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Make the spice blend: Toast the cinnamon stick, both peppercorns, cumin, coriander, allspice, cloves and cardamom in a small dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2 minutes; let cool. Grind in a spice grinder or mini food processor with the ginger, turmeric, cayenne, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks; use leftover spice blend as a rub for meat or fish.
• Make the couscous: Heat the butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend and the saffron, if desired, in a large skillet over medium-high heat until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the couscous and stir until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir in the warm broth, remove from the heat, cover and set aside until the couscous is plump, about 7 minutes. Add the lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon spice blend.

SPICED BEEF PATTIES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups water, half of the grated carrots, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the dried apricots, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the couscous; cover and remove from the heat. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, mix the yogurt, half of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon paprika and a large pinch of salt in a small bowl; set aside.
• Combine the ground beef, scallions, cumin, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining grated carrot and 1 teaspoon paprika in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined. Form into four 3/4-inch-thick oval patties.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in the remaining cilantro. Serve the patties with the couscous and yogurt sauce.

SPICED BEEF PATTIES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Mix first 9 ingredients in medium bowl to blend well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• For each patty, shape 1/4 cup mixture into 3/4-inch-thick round. Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Mound couscous in center of platter and surround with patties. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.