Kadınbudu Köfte - Turkish Style Meatballs with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef or lamb 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef or lamb
• 1 cup cooked rice 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 24g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 3g
• Protein: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into oval patties, about the size of a lady's thigh.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes and chicken or vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Return the meatballs to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for about 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
6. 6.
   Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. 7.
   Serve the Kadınbudu Köfte hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef or lamb — Choose lean cuts of meat for a healthier option. If using lamb, trim off excess fat before grinding.
• Cooked rice — Use long-grain rice for the best texture. Make sure the rice is fully cooked and cooled before adding it to the meat mixture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
• If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt.
• Serve Kadınbudu Köfte with a side of fluffy rice pilaf and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
• Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
• To make the dish more visually appealing, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.

Serving advice

Serve Kadınbudu Köfte hot, accompanied by a generous portion of creamy tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs on a platter, drizzle the tomato sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve with warm bread or pita on the side for dipping.