Armenian Lentil Patties Recipes

ARMENIAN LENTIL PATTIES

Steps:

• In a covered pot, cook lentils, onion, and garlic in water about 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
• Add the next 5 ingredients and mix well; cover and simmer over low heat 2 minutes. Cool to lukewarm.
• Add pepper and stir well.
• Divide mixture into 18 portions and shape into patties.
• Mix 1 cup parsley with green onions and roll patties in mixture.

RED LENTIL AND BULGUR KUFTEH

Steps:

• Combine the lentils and water in a large saucepan, bring to a boil, skim off any foam, reduce the heat, add salt to taste and simmer 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and most but not all of the water is absorbed.
• Place the bulgur in a bowl, mix with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pour in the lentils with their liquid. Stir together, then cover and let sit for 30 minutes, until the bulgur is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat and add the onion. Cook gently for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden and very tender. Stir often. Add the ground cumin and stir together for about 30 seconds, then stir into the lentils and bulgur.
• Moisten your hands with water and knead the mixture in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes. Each time it begins to stick to your hands, moisten them again, and this will moisten the mixture. If it seems very dry and crumbly, add a tablespoon of water. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 cup of the minced parsley, and for a spicier mixture add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper. Taste and adjust salt.
• Moisten your hands and shape the mixture into walnut-size balls (about 1 inch). You'll have to moisten your hands again whenever the mixture begins to stick to them. Place on a platter and sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Garnish with scallions, romaine lettuce leaves and lemon wedges, and serve, or chill for several hours. Serve cold or at room temperature.

ARMENIAN LENTIL AND BULGUR CAKES

Steps:

• Combine lentils, water and salt in heavy saucepan.
• Bring to boil; simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 min, adding more hot water if needed.
• Add 1/2 cup of the butter and all the bulgur; simmer 2-3 minute Remove from heat and cover; set aside 15 minute.
• In heavy skillet, melt remaining 1/4 cup butter over med heat.
• Add onion and saute until golden brown; stir frequently.
• In large mixing bowl combine sauteed onions with lentil and bulgur mixture.
• Wet hands in warm water and knead mixture until well blended, 2-3 minutes.
• (Wet hands again as needed).
• Add 3 Tbsp each: peppers, green onions, parsley and mint to mixture and mix well.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Keeping hands moistened, form mixture into 1/2" thick patties.
• Arrange on serving dish; sprinkle with reserved sweet pepper, green onions, parsley and mint.
• Season to taste with paprika.
• (If you prefer your kibbee baked, place on oiled baking sheet and place in 375F oven until golden brown-- I never do this so am not sure how long it would take- 10-15 min?).

TSIRANI VOSP APUR (ARMENIAN APRICOT AND LENTIL SOUP)

Steps:

• If using dried apricots, at least 40 minutes before cooking, cut them into quarters, soak in warm water to cover, then drain and set aside. (This can be done up to a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature before using.)
• Warm the oil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion begins to turn golden at the edges, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently.
• Pour 5 cups of the vegetable broth into the pot, scraping any stuck-on bits from the bottom, and bring to a boil. Add the lentils, cover, and reduce the heat to maintain a strong simmer. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the lentils are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in 1 more cup of broth if the soup is too thick, then add the carrots, apricots and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and season with pepper to taste. Increase the heat to bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and simmer, partly covered and stirring once or twice, for 10 minutes, or until the carrots are as cooked as you'd like.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice, then taste. If it's not sour enough, add a little more, and adjust for salt and pepper.
• Ladle into bowls and serve warm, with pomegranate syrup drizzled over the top.

LENTIL CAKES (PATTIES)

Steps:

• Place lentils and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cooked lentils, milk, wheat and barley cereal, eggs and walnuts. Season with onion soup mix and poultry seasoning. Mix well using your hands, as the mixture will be very thick. Let stand for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Use an ice cream scoop to portion out balls of the lentil mixture. Drop the scoops into bread crumbs, and coat while flattening into patties. Fry burgers in the hot skillet until nicely browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the patties.