Red lentil köfte (Turkish lentil balls) — ingredients and method
Meatless, vegan and satisfying: red lentils and fine bulgur kneaded with cumin-spiced onion and served in lettuce leaves. Copy the ingredients to your room and tick off what's missing at the shop.
Serves 6 · 40 min
In short
Red lentil köfte takes 1 cup of red lentils, 1 cup of fine bulgur, 1 large onion, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 4 tablespoons of oil, spring onions, parsley, cumin and chili flakes, and makes about 20 pieces in 40 minutes. Cook the lentils, swell the bulgur in them, mix in the sautéed onion and knead for 5 minutes while still lukewarm, then shape walnut-sized pieces.
13 items go straight into your new room; delete what you don't need, add what's missing. No account needed.
Ingredients
- Red lentils1 cup
- Fine bulgur1 cup
- Water2 cups
- Onion1 large
- Tomato paste2 tbsp
- Vegetable oil4 tbsp
- Spring onions4
- Parsley½ bunch
- Ground cumin1 tsp
- Chili flakes1 tsp
- Salt1 tsp
- Lemon1
- Lettuceto serve
Method
Rinse the lentils and put them in a pot with 2 cups of water; bring to the boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes until completely soft and the water is absorbed.
Take off the heat, stir in the fine bulgur, cover and leave to swell for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, soften the finely chopped onion in 4 tablespoons of oil until pink; add the tomato paste and stir for 2 minutes.
Add the onion mixture, cumin, chili flakes and salt to the lentils. Once lukewarm, knead by hand for 5 minutes until you have a smooth dough.
Finely chop the spring onions and parsley, fold them in with the lemon juice, and knead briefly again.
Pinch off walnut-sized pieces and shape them by squeezing in your palm. Serve on lettuce leaves with lemon.
How it works
1. Open your room
Tap the button and the items land in a fresh room. No account, no email, nothing to install.
2. Share the code
Send the room code or the link to the group; everyone's on the same list in seconds.
3. Finish it together
Who's buying what shows up instantly; bought items get ticked, so nobody buys the same thing twice.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my lentil köfte fall apart?
The mixture is usually too wet or not kneaded long enough. The lentils should absorb all their water and the bulgur should swell for 20 minutes; kneading for 5 minutes while still lukewarm gives a smooth dough that holds together. If it's too soft, knead in a spoonful of extra fine bulgur.
Is lentil köfte vegan and gluten-free?
It's vegan: no meat, eggs or dairy. It isn't gluten-free, though, because bulgur is made from wheat.
How long does lentil köfte keep?
Shaped köfte keep 2–3 days in a covered container in the fridge. Add the lettuce and lemon only when serving.
Can I change the list?
Of course. The ready-made list is just a starting point: delete, add, move items between categories.
Do I need an account?
No. A room code is all it takes — no email, password or signup.
How long is the list kept?
As long as you use it. A list is only deleted after a month without any activity; even opening the room resets the clock.
Can I install it on my phone?
Yes. With the room open, tap "Save Room" to add it to your home screen and open it with one tap.