Passport & Plate - Kimyonlu Sahan Köftesi (Cummins Köfte)
Turkey | Tuesday, February 24, 2015 | 5 photos
Ingredients
500gr. minced meat (beef, lamb, pork, or turkey will do)
1 onion, grated
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 teaspoons of cumin, paprika, and chili powder mixed
1/2 cup olive oil
2 bell peppers (one red and one green for color)
1 potato (optional but recommended)
How to prepare this recipe1. Chop up peppers into large slices and set aside. If using a potato, boil until tender, chop into large ovals and put aside.
2. Blend minced meat, onions, bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper and spices. Knead this mixture well for 10 minutes.
3. Take walnut sized pieces, roll into a ball and then flatten.
4. Heat olive oil in a pan and lightly brown the köfte on both sides. When done, take them out and arrange in a flat pan.
5. Mix tomato paste with hot water and spread over köfte. Sprinkle with salt. Add potatoes (optional), mixed peppers and cook on medium heat for 20-25 minutes.
The story behind this recipeOn one snowy Tuesday morning back in 2012, I frantically left my cubical to call my best friend, "flights are down to $491...WITH A 30 HOUR LAYOVER IN...........TURKEY! Should we buy?!"
My roommate and I were on the hunt for a cheap flight to Italy for several weeks now. It was during the winter, and I told her that I would purchase anything under $600. Once I found out that this particular flight was offering a 30 hour layover in Istanbul, I knew it was "the one." I had been to Europe several times before, and I guess you could say I was looking for something different. Turkey seemed so exotic to me, culturally deep and visually exciting.
Before I knew it, our cab was pulling up to the Old City district of Istanbul. The tires were fighting over cobblestones and squeezing between shops lined with delicate colorful lanterns and homemade rugs. After a friendly farewell with the driver, our feet led us to the grand bazaar, a giant shopping maze of worldly treasures. We passed shelves of ancient dusty jewelry, hand sewn pillow cases, and tubs of pungent spices. Scents of cumin, sumac, and paprika filled the air. I sampled a succulent kebap, while the others tried flavorsome mezes and freshly caught fish. We washed them down with raki and sweet Turkish wine.
An outside café was playing traditional Turkish music, encouraging us to take a seat on their velvet couches lined in maroon and gold. While sipping mint tea and inhaling the rose flavored hookah, we watched a dancer dressed in white garbs twirl onstage to the music. That night, while laying in bed and listening to the call to prayer being broadcasted over the entire city, I realized that this was the most interesting place I have ever been. In Istanbul, extraordinary cultural experiences lie around every corner.
