Bulgarian Burgers Kufteh Recipes

KAMIKAZE BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and shape into 4 patties.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Place patties on the prepared grill, and cook 5 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.
• Prepare buns by spreading 1 tablespoon of wasabi on the bottom half, and 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the top half. Top burgers with a slice of cheese, and sandwich inside the buns.

KOFTA KEBABS

Steps:

• Mash the garlic into a paste with the salt using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef's knife on your cutting board. Mix the garlic into the lamb along with the onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, ginger, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well blended. Form the mixture into 28 balls. Form each ball around the tip of a skewer, flattening into a 2 inch oval; repeat with the remaining skewers. Place the kebabs onto a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until the lamb has cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 6 minutes for medium.

DIY KOFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Tip the mince into a large bowl (use a clean washing-up bowl if you don't have anything big enough) with all the other burger ingredients and a good pinch of salt. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands into the mix and squelch everything together through your fingers until completely mixed. Pat the mix into 16 small burgers. These may now be frozen for up to 1 month or chilled up to a day ahead.
• To cook, heat grill to its highest setting and lay the burgers in a single layer on a baking tray (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your tray is). Grill on the highest shelf for 5-6 mins on each side until browned and cooked through. Pile burgers onto a platter and serve with all the accompaniments, so everyone can construct their own sandwich.

BULGARIAN BURGERS (KUFTEH)

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir to mix with a wooden spoon (test the mixture for seasoning by sauteing a teaspoon of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt, pepper, or cumin to the remaining mixture; should be highly seasoned).
• Divide the meat into 4 equal parts; lightly wet your hands with cold water, then form each portion into a patty 3 inches across and about ¾ inches thick.
• When ready to cook, oil the grill grate; arrange burgers on the hot grate and grill, turning with a spatula, until nicely browned on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Serve immediately.

BULGARIAN BURGERS / KUFTEH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the grill to high.2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to mix with a wooden spoon. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a teaspoon of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt, pepper, or cumin to the remaining mixture as necessary the mixture should be highly seasoned.3. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then form each portion into a patty 3 inches across and about 3/4 inch thick (see Note).4. When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Arrange the burgers on the hot grate and grill, turning with a spatula, until nicely browned on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately.Serves 4Note: If not planning to cook immediately, place on a large plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

BALKAN BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, place meats, 1/2 cup chopped onions, salt, pepper and sparkling water. Using your hands, lightly combine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Divide mixture into six equal balls. Place one ball between two sheets of plastic wrap and use the heel of your hand to pound it to a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick and 6 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining meat; refrigerate patties about 1 hour.
• Heat a grill or heavy skillet to very hot. Cook patties, turning often, until well browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Cut pita breads in half horizontally, and serve burgers between pieces of pita. Sprinkle with onions and spread with kajmak and ajvar as desired.

PRINCESSES (BULGARIAN GROUND MEAT SANDWICHES)

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, egg, onion, thyme, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and ginger in a bowl; knead well.
• Mixture should be soft enough to spread. If it is not, add an extra egg. In this recipe too soft is better than too thick.
• Spread the mixture over the bread slices.
• Place in an oven at medium to high heat.
• Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until meat is golden and cooked through.

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.

BULGARIAN BURGERS / KUFTEH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the grill to high.2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to mix with a wooden spoon. To test the mixture for seasoning, sauté a teaspoon of it in a nonstick skillet until cooked through, then taste, adding salt, pepper, or cumin to the remaining mixture as necessary the mixture should be highly seasoned.3. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Lightly wet your hands with cold water, then form each portion into a patty 3 inches across and about 3/4 inch thick (see Note).4. When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Arrange the burgers on the hot grate and grill, turning with a spatula, until nicely browned on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately.Serves 4Note: If not planning to cook immediately, place on a large plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.