Mercimek Koftesi

1 cup red lentils, washed
1 cup fine bulgur, washed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/2 bunch dill, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon red chili flake
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
salt to taste
juice of one lemon
lettuce leaves to serve (butter lettuce, for example)

Cook the lentils in 2 1/2 cups water until soft. Add the bulgur. Cover and set aside until the bulgur absorbs the rest of the water.

In a skillet, heat the oil and cook the onion until soft. Stir in the chili flake, tomato paste and cumin.

Place all ingredients in large bowl. Mix well to combine. Allow the mixture to cool.

Make small torpedoes out of the mixture 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons at a time. Chill. Serve wrapped in lettuce leaves with extra lemon.

This is my take on a favorite Turkish appetizer. I am taking this to the goddess day celebration I am attending tomorrow.


Lentils

Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Energies: Peace

I was watching "Spice Goddess" today, and the host, Bal Arneson, said that lentils were a sign of prosperity in India. I would add prosperity to the energies of the lentil as well, especially when combined with parsley, as in this recipe.

source: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen