Kadinbudu Kofte; Turkish Lady’s Thigh Meatballs

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the onions. Saute for 3 minutes over medium heat, they will start to soften.

Step 2

Stir in the half of the ground (minced) meat and cook on medium to high heat for about 8 minutes, until all the moisture is absorbed, turn the heat off.

Step 3

Add the cooked rice and the chopped parsley to the pan and mix with the cooked onions and ground meat. Season with salt, cumin, red pepper flakes and ground black pepper (I like to season at this stage before adding the raw meat, as you can check the seasoning). Set aside to cool.

Step 4

Stir in the remaining raw meat and egg yolk to the mixture. Using your hands, knead well into a paste. Cover and leave the mixture in the fridge for about 15- 20 minutes to settle.

Step 5

Spread the flour on a flat plate. Have small bowl of cold water aside to help shape the koftes. Beat 1 large egg and the remaining egg white in a small bowl.

Step 6

Wet your hands and take large egg sized portions of the meat mixture. Shape and flatten them into an oval ball shape. Repeat until all the mixture is finished; you should be able to have 11-12 koftes.

Step 7

Dip the koftes in the flour to have a light, all round coating.

Step 8

Heat 4 – 5 tbsp. light olive oil or canola oil in a frying pan.

Step 9

Then dip the meatballs into the beaten egg and shallow fry in hot oil for about 3 minutes each side. They will be crisp and golden in color.

Step 10

Drain the cooked kadinbudu koftes on kitchen paper towel. If serving a little later, take out the paper towel and keep the kadinbudu kofte warm on a baking tray in the preheated oven (180 C/350 F) for 5- 10 minutes.

Step 11

For the mash potatoes with spring onions, mash the cooked potatoes with milk, 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter, over medium heat, until smooth.

Step 12

Stir in the chopped spring onions and season with salt and ground black pepper. Combine well.

Step 13

Serve kadinbudu kofte hot with mashed potatoes with spring onions and vegetables aside.