Armenian Kufta Recipes

Steps:

• For the outside shell, mix 1-1/2 lbs. ground lamb, bulghur, onion, salt, pepper and parsley together with 1 cup of water. Knead until it becomes cohesive and dough like.
• Set aside and brown 1 lb lamb with large chopped onion until meat is cooked. Add parsley, salt and pepper and cool.
• In the meantime, roll outside shell mixture into balls the size of a small egg. Use a bowl of ice water to keep mixture from sticking to your hands. Shape into cups by inserting your thumb into ball and rotating in your opposite hand until you form a thin shell. Keep wetting your hands in the ice water to keep shell from cracking.
• Fill shell with cooked meat mixture, about 1 tablespoon, close shell, wetting hands with ice water, and seal opening.
• Set aside on a sheet pan, continue to roll balls. Place tray in refrigerator to chill.
• Boil 2 quarts of broth, add pasta and vegetables. Add meatballs and cook them 10 minutes or until they rise to the top.
• Sometimes served with yogurt on the side.

Steps:

• Lamb should be put through grinder three times.
• Mix in salt and pepper to taste, before adding bulgur and onions.
• Add salt to finely chopped green pepper, finely chopped green onions and finely chopped handful of parsley.
• Squeeze vegetables with hands to draw moisture and add to lamb.
• Also add cayenne pepper, if desired.
• Knead all together adding a little water until all ingredients stick together.
• Shape into patties and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Serve at once.

Steps:

• Combine vegetables and basil together and mix well.
• In a large bowl combine 2 cups of chopped vegetables and mix the bulgur, water, tomato sauce and salt.
• Mix well and let stand 10 minutes.
• Add meat and blend well.
• Knead about 5 minutes, moistening your hands with cold water at intervals.
• Taste for salt.
• Add more if necessary.
• Shape as desired and place on platter.
• We liked it squished flat with a fork and spread liberally with fresh chopped parsley and green onions as garnish.
• Eat with pita bread or crusty french bread, YUM!