Turkey Kibbeh Recipes

Steps:

• Place bulgur in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with water just to the top of the bulgur. Place in the microwave and cook on High 1 to 2 minutes until bulgur is swollen and the water is absorbed. Toss briefly and allow to stand until cool.
• Place the mint leaves in the bowl of a food processor. Process, gradually adding onion through the feed tube, until both mint and onion are finely chopped. Stir the mint-onion mixture into the bulgur, with the cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir the bulgur mixture into the ground lamb and mix thoroughly. Using damp hands, shape the lamb mixture into small, palm-sized patties.
• Place the olive oil in a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the kibbeh patties and cook until outside is golden brown and center is cooked through, turning once, about 6 minutes on each side.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F Coat an 8-inch-square baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place bulgur in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes untilmost or all of the water is absorbed.
• Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the toasted pine nuts.
• Drain the bulgur, pressing on it to remove any exess liquid. Transfer to a large bowl and add turkey, zucchini, marjoram, cumin, salt, allspice and cayenne. Gently mix until combined.
• Pat half the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the onion mixture, pressing it gently into the turkey layer. Cover with the rest of the turkey mixture, pressing gently into the onion layer. Cover baking dish with foil.
• Bake the kibbeh for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165° F, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• While the kibbeh is baking, combine yogurt, cucumber, tomato and pepper in a small bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Cut the kibbeh into 6 squares and serve warm with the yogurt sauce.

Steps:

• To make the kibbeh shells, place 4 ounces of the meat in a blender or food processor and process until it is a paste. Set aside.
• Rinse the bulgur in cold water and squeeze it dry. Place bulgur in a blender or food processor and add the meat paste and the semolina. Process until the mixture resembles a firm dough. If it does not adhere well, add a few drops of water. Transfer mixture to a bowl and chill for 1 hour while you make the filling.
• Puree the remaining meat with the liver in a blender or food processor. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a skillet over high heat and cook the onions until transparent, about 3 or 4 minutes.
• Add the raisins and meat, and cook until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the pomegranate seeds.
• To assemble the kibbeh, knead the dough for 5 minutes. Take a walnut-size piece of the dough and shape it into a ball.
• Flatten the ball and poke your finger into it, gradually hollowing out a cavity and shaping the dough into a torpedo shape.
• Fill the cavity with about a tablespoon of the stuffing mixture and work the dough over the hole to close it. Continue to assemble the kibbeh. When all have been assembled, arrange on a dish and chill for 1 hour.
• Heat the remainder of the oil in a deep-fryer until it registers 375°F on a thermometer or a cube of bread browns in 60 seconds. Drop in the kibbeh, a few at a time. Deep-fry until golden-brown, about 10 minutes, then drain on absorbent paper. Keep warm as you continue to cook kibbeh.
• Serve with saffron or white rice, perhaps accompanied by sauteed peppers.