First things first:  My new best friend, the one who taught me how to make Turkish Baklava, periodically sends me recipes for other Turkish delicacies.  This one is for Kofte which is Turkish for “meatball”, although they are clearly not shaped like meatballs.  Those Turks are some real eight-balls. 

A caveat before we get started:  The recipe calls for the onion to be grated, but I had come home late from work and the last thing I wanted to do was grate a goddamned onion.  So I chopped it instead.  However, when I make this again, I’ll grate the onion because I think it will cook better.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 Lb. Ground Beef

1 Med. Onion, grated

1 Egg

Chopped Parsley, to taste

2-3 Tbsp. Bread Crumbs

1-2 tsp. Cumin, ground

1 tsp. Oregano

1 tsp. Pepper Paste (this is a Turkish thing—picture below)

½ tsp. Red Pepper Powder

Salt, to taste

Here’s the Red Pepper Paste.  It has an interesting flavor—subtle but unique.

Mix everything together and form into oval shaped patties.  I made four out of everything.

Fry until done (NOT well done, you heathens) and serve with your choice of side dish.

That’s it.  That’s all there is to it.  This is easy as can be and quite tasty.  My friend giveth, and giveth, and giveth.