Armenian Red Lentil Kofte

bulgur

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: rice

Quinoa offers more protein while rice is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil provides healthy fats, while canola oil is budget-friendly.

pomegranate seeds

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: chopped apples

Dried cranberries add sweetness, while apples are economical.

tomato paste

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes are lower in sodium, while canned are often cheaper.

Add 1 cup of lentils and 4 cups of water to a pot and cook until lentils are melted.

Add 1 cup of bulgur to the lentils and turn off the heat; mix it up.

Add salt, red pepper, and black pepper to taste; note that red pepper can change the color to red if added.

Set aside for bulgur to absorb the water and thicken.

Dice 1 big onion, saving part for the salad; sauté the onion with 1/4 cup of vegetable oil until translucent.

Add 1 stick of butter to the sautéed onions to enhance the flavor.

Combine the sautéed onions with the lentil mixture and mix well.

For the salad, dice 1-2 tomatoes, add parsley, green onions, and the reserved onion; dress with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: