Cooking In Turkey: Mercimek Köftesi
For those who have been following our blog for any length of time, you know that food is a popular subject around here. In many ways I see food as one of the reasons I have been able to feel so at home in Turkey. Like I wrote in my last post about cooking, the culinary scene here isn't so far removed in some ways from how I grew up, especially when it comes to the value placed on the preparation and enjoyment of food with friends.
Shortly after moving to Turkey, I was invited to an afternoon tea with some local ladies. I had learned that guests were never received in Turkey without some sort of ikram (ee-krahm), or, refreshments being offered alongside a steaming cup of tea or coffee. But I was not prepared for the abundance of treats spread out before me, all homemade, and all having taken considerable time to prepare. The hostess beamed with delight and pride even as she demurely criticized her own efforts, pointing out all the ways her ikram fell short (not enough salt, too-thick dough, too oily, etc.) Of course this was met with a chorus of exclamations that everything was delicious, and blessings on her hands that had prepared it all.
One of the items on that table has made a repeat appearance throughout my time in Turkey at teas, picnics, and other visits, and has since that day been a favorite of mine: mercimek köftesi (mare-ji-meck kough-tay-see), or, lentil patties.
A mixture of lentils, bulgur wheat, green onions, parsley, and oily, spicy goodness, these little guys make the perfect bite-size refreshment. Whenever I have asked friends here how to make this dish, they always shrug and remark how easy it is. Though I remind them that as an American there is no such thing as an easy Turkish dish for me to make, they continue to insist that there is nothing to it. So I asked our friend Dilek Abla, if she would teach me how.
Though normally Abla cooks without a recipe (using her memory and eyes to estimate ingredients and amounts), after seeing me write everything down during our previous experiences, this time she came with a written recipe. She had asked her husband to find one for her on the internet (in her words, she and technology don't have a good relationship), and copied it out. It was amusing to watch her read what he had written and shake her head doubtfully. Sure enough, by the time we had molded the last of the lentil patties onto the plate she had a list in her head of adjustments to the recipe that she would make for next time.
More lentils, more oil, more herbs (mostly more!) She looked at me knowingly and said, "You just can't know about recipes you find on the internet!"
Despite an underlying hint of dissatisfaction in her voice overall I think she was fairly pleased with the final result. Of course, to mine and Leslie's non-discriminating American tastebuds the final result was delicious and we promptly took a plate across the hall to our teyze (aunt) and amca (uncle) to enjoy. They are always bringing homemade food over to us, so we try to be good neighbors and return the favor when we can.
If you ever get a chance to visit Turkey, I hope you are able to try some mercimek köftesi. In the meantime, if you are interested in trying the recipe for yourself, just reach out, I'm happy to share!
To our friends in the West, keep looking East!
Ginny Lou Henley
Ginny Lou is a co-founder of West2East. Originally from Alabama, Ginny Lou has called Turkey home for the past nine years. To read more about her, click here.