(Almost) Turkish Recipe: Lentil Meatballs | Healthy, Easy Food My Way

bulgur

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: rice

Quinoa is a healthier grain option, while rice is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is a budget-friendly alternative.

Add 1 cup of red lentils into a pot.

Pour in about 3 cups of water and turn up the heat to bring it to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to simmer and cook the lentils for about 20 minutes until they break down and reach a soupy consistency.

While the lentils are cooking, prepare 4 dried chili peppers by crushing them in a plastic bag.

Add the crushed chili peppers to the pot of boiling lentils.

Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the lentils.

After 20 minutes, check the lentils and add more water if they look too dry.

Remove the pot from heat and add 3/4 cup of couscous to the lentils to soak up the remaining water.

Add the roasted onion and red bell pepper to the lentil mixture.

Chop and add green onions and parsley to the mixture, ensuring the lentils have cooled enough so the parsley doesn't wilt immediately.

Serve the lentil mixture on a bed of romaine lettuce and drizzle with lemon juice before eating.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens