Vospov Koefteh
Vospov Koefteh - Armenian Lentil Patties (with Chopped Parsley and Tomato Salad)
Ingredients:
Ingredients for the koefteh patties:
1 and 1/2 cups fine bulgar wheat
2 cups uncooked red lentils (rinsed and drained)
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon hot red pepper paste
2 tsp salt (add more to taste - usually am very scant with salt)
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Ingredients for the salad:
3-4 medium tomatoes
2 bunches of parsley, thoroughly cleaned and chopped
4-6 scallions, diced (depends on how oniony you want!)
Salt, to taste
Instructions:
Place lentils in a large pot and cover with about 4.5 cups water. Add salt and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Turn off burner, and immediately cover pot with lid. Let sit for 15-20 min.
Meanwhile, in another large pan/pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and saute until soft and clear. Set aside.
After 15-20 minutes, lentils should now be creamy in texture. If too dry/stiff, add water and stir until creamy. If too soupy, cook over low heat for 2 more minutes or so.
Add the onions, cumin, pepper paste, paprika, salt, and bulgar wheat to the lentils and stir until incorporated.
LET COOL (your hands will thank you… as the forming of the koefteh patties requires a hands-on approach). I put the whole pot into the fridge to cool off while I chop the ingredients for the salad.
Now, it’s time to make the salad. All you need to do for this is chop up the ingredients and combine! Set aside for now. You will use this to garnish the koefteh patties for a nice presentation, and to serve on the side.
Once the lentil mixture is cool, dip your clean hands into a bowl of cool water to moisten them, and begin to form patties. These should be about 3 inches in length and resemble little sausages (see photos). Continue forming patties, dipping your hands into the bowl of water to keep the lentil mixture from sticking to them.
Arrange patties decoratively on a plate/platter and garnish with parsley-tomato salad. I also like to sprinkle cumin and paprika over top of the patties as well.
Enjoy cold as an appetizer or as a main course!
