Authentic Turkish Çiğ Köfte Made the Village Way ...🌾

A meatless çiğ köfte, the traditional Turkish bulgur dish, is prepared in a village-style kitchen. The method uses fine bulgur soaked in boiling water, combined with tomato paste, pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, sumac, spices, and grated onion, then kneaded until smooth. Cold water or grated tomato is added to adjust the texture, and small portions are shaped by hand.

• Bulgur soaked in boiling water and rested about 10 minutes
• Spices include Urfa pepper, pepper paste, sumac and pomegranate molasses
• Consistency adjusted with cold water or grated tomato
• Portions are shaped by hand into the traditional form

## Ingredients * 4 cups **brown fine bulgur for köfte** (if unavailable, regular fine bulgur can also be used) * 2 cups **boiling water** * 2 tablespoons **tomato paste** * 2 tablespoons **pepper paste** (Turkish red pepper paste) * 1½ tablespoons **red pepper flakes** * ½ tea glass **isot pepper** (Urfa pepper) * ½ tea glass **ground red pepper (paprika)** * 3 cloves **garlic, grated** * 1 tea glass **vegetable oil** (optionally mixed with olive oil) * ½ tea glass **pomegranate molasses** * 2 tablespoons **sumac** * 1½ teaspoons **cumin** * 1 teaspoon **black pepper** * 2 **onions**, grated and **juice squeezed out** * 1 teaspoon **salt** (adjust to taste) ### While kneading * **Cold water**, as needed or * **1 small tomato, grated** ### At the end * **A few ice cubes** --- # How to Make Meatless Çiğ Köfte 1. Place the fine bulgur in a large bowl and pour **2 cups of boiling water** over it. 2. Cover and let it **rest for about 10 minutes** so the bulgur softens. 3. Add all the ingredients and **knead thoroughly**. 4. If you have a **dough kneading machine**, you can use it — it makes the process much easier. 5. If the mixture becomes **too thick**, add a little **grated tomato or cold water** and continue kneading until it reaches the desired consistency. 6. Optionally, add **½ bunch of finely chopped parsley** (I did not use it). 7. Knead again well. 8. Take small portions and **shape them by squeezing in your hand** to form the traditional çiğ köfte shape. Your **meatless çiğ köfte is ready to eat. Enjoy!**