Lentil Balls

This is a delicious appetizer known and loved by all in Turkey. It's also one of my American husband's favorites. It is nutritious too! You can serve them in lettuce leaves.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 208 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 ¾ cups water
• 1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
• ¾ cup fine bulgur (cracked wheat)
• 7 spring onions, finely chopped, or more to taste
• ½ bunch parsley, minced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine water and red lentils in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir in bulgur and remove saucepan from heat. Cover and let stand until bulgur absorbs the residual moisture, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir spring onions until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3

Combine red lentil mixture and onion mixture in a large bowl. Add parsley, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, cumin, and salt; knead by hand until evenly distributed.

Step 4

Shape mixture into small logs or round balls and arrange on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent the tops from drying out before serving.