VEGETARIAN RAW MEAT BITES (ETSIZ CIG KOFTE)

Yes.. Vegetarian raw meat is an oxymoron.  This dish is normally made with raw meat and bulgur.  Usually a very strong person kneads it like dough with spices for a very long time to get it right.  This recipe is done in a food processor with a day old bread and walnuts.  It is amazing how noone can tell that it isn't the real thing.  If you don't like spicy foods, you'll likely not going to like this recipe but if you enjoy currie and spices, this is a must try.

1/2 cup fine bulgur
1 piece of a day old bread (with crust)

1 small onion
2 cloves of crushed garlic

1/4 cup crushed walnuts

1 full teaspoon tomato paste
1 full teaspoon hot red pepper paste
salt
1 full teaspoon spice mix (below)

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

Spice mix (You can make this mix and save for other recipes) :

1 tablespoon allspice
1 tablespoon blackpepper

2 tablespoon hot red pepper

2 tablespoon cumin
2 tablespoon curry

1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon mint

1 teaspoon thyme

• Put the bulgur in a colander and pour boiled water through the bulgur.  Set aside to dry.
• In a food processor chop onion and add all ingredients except bulgur, olive oil and parsley and mix through until you have a sticky mixture.  Add in bulgur and mix through.  Finally add in olive oil and mix that through in the food processor
• Remove from the food processor and add in parsley and knead like a big dough making sure parsley is all through.
• Make small bites and serve in a bed of lettuce with pickles on the side