Red Lentil Kofta With Spinach
- 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1/2 onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups water
- Salt to taste
- 1 12-ounce bunch spinach, stemmed, cleaned and roughly chopped, or 1 6-ounce bag baby spinach, stems removed, roughly chopped
- 23 cup fine or medium (No. 1 or No. 2) bulgur
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice, ground
- Aleppo pepper to taste (optional)
- Scallions, radishes, small romaine lettuce leaves and lemon wedges for garnish
- Combine the red lentils, onion, garlic and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Skim off any foam, reduce the heat, add salt to taste and simmer 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.
- Remove the onion half.
- Add the spinach and simmer for another minute, until it is wilted.
- Taste and adjust salt.
- Stir the bulgur into the pot, turn off the heat and cover.
- Let sit for 30 minutes, until the bulgur is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat and add the ground cumin and allspice.
- Stir for about 15 seconds, until fragrant, then stir into the lentil/bulgur/spinach mixture.
- Allow to cool, in the refrigerator if youre leaving for more than an hour.
- Moisten your hands with water and knead the mixture in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes, or stir with a rubber spatula.
- Each time it begins to stick to your hands, moisten them again.
- For a spicier mixture, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper.
- Taste and adjust salt.
- Moisten your hands and shape the mixture into walnut-size balls (about 1 inch).
- Youll have to moisten your hands again whenever the mixture begins to stick to them.
- Place on a platter, garnish with scallions, radishes, romaine lettuce leaves and lemon wedges, and serve, or chill for several hours.
- Serve cold or at room temperature.
red lentils, onion, garlic, water, salt, baby spinach, no, extra virgin olive oil, cumin seeds, allspice, pepper, scallions
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/12198 (may not work)