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İçli Köfte is a beloved traditional Turkish dish made of a thin bulgur shell stuffed with spiced minced meat, onions, and walnuts. Crispy on the outside and savory on the inside, it’s a favorite at family gatherings and special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Shell (Dough)

• 2 cups fine bulgur (köftelik bulgur)
• 1 cup semolina
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp pepper paste (biber salçası)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup warm water (as needed)

For the Filling

• 500 g minced beef or lamb
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1/2 cup walnuts, crushed
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped

For Cooking

• Vegetable oil for frying
• Or water and salt for boiling

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

• Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions until soft.
• Add the minced meat and cook until browned.
• Stir in walnuts, salt, pepper, and cumin.
• Remove from heat and mix in the parsley. Let it cool.

2. Prepare the Shell

• In a large bowl, combine bulgur, semolina, tomato paste, pepper paste, salt, and spices.
• Gradually add warm water and knead until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
• Add the egg and knead again until well combined.

3. Shape the Köfte

• Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball.
• Hollow it out with your finger to form a thin cup shape.
• Fill with the meat mixture and seal the edges carefully.
• Shape into an oval or torpedo form.

4. Cooking

Frying: Heat oil and fry until golden brown.
Boiling: Boil in salted water for 5–7 minutes.

5. Serving

Serve hot with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

Tips

• Keep your hands wet while shaping to prevent sticking.
• Don’t overfill, or the shells may break.
• İçli Köfte can be frozen before cooking for later use.