Lentils again. Yes, they’re good for you and they taste great! Here’s another of those typical all-in-one dishes that are so common in this cuisine.
Etli actually means ‘with meat’, beef or lamb, but I used lamb, hence the name of this recipe.
Pulses play a huge role in Turkish cooking so vegetarians are easily catered for. Not that you find many vegetarian Turks around! This recipe includes meat but you could just as easily omit it.
Green lentils are more resilient than the usual red variety and are used for meals and salads as they hold their shape well.The red sort is usually reserved for soup – yes, the national favourite,
The red sort is usually reserved for soup – yes, the national favourite, mercimek çorbası is based on this.
Here’s an easy everyday family dish that you can prepare without much fuss provided you’ve remembered to soak the lentils the night before. This kind of meal or yemek is easy on the budget too as you can put as much – or as little – meat as you like.
The other advantage is that a meal like this can stretch to feed more mouths if necessary. Just add a nice pilaf and salad and there you are!
This comes from Turkish Cookery by Gülseren Ramazanoğlu, one of my very first Turkish recipe books! It’s falling apart now but I still refer to it.
Salt and pepper to taste
- Wash and drain the lentils. Place in a pan and set aside.
- Sauté the onions lightly in the butter for about 15 mins then cover and cook on low heat till the meat releases its moisture and reabsorbs it and becomes tender.
- Add the tomato paste.
- Stir once, then add the meat mixture, carrots, salt and pepper to the lentils.
- Add the hot water. Cover.
- Cook over medium heat (1hr – 1 ¼ hrs) until the lentils are tender, the liquid is mostly absorbed but there is still some left.
- Serve hot as a main course with rice and salad.
Afiyet olsun!
oh my…this sure looks good. it would be great to eat with injera!
Hi Joyce! Always nice to hear from you! What's injera??
Hello,
I really have no idea how I found your blog. I was jumping from a blog to another.
As being an Istanbullu (Istanbulin) myself I'm so happy to find your blog 🙂
Lovely and sincere articles… And nice photography…
I guess I'll be visiting often 🙂
Cheers from Istanbul,
Banu http://www.karafakiden.com
Hi Banu! I am so glad you found my blog! Thanks for commenting too! Much appreciated! Yes, please come again… I will certainly check your blog too!
Yum! I made your kofte recipe Friday night and served with my first batch of Patlican Ic Pilavi. Delish! Thank you!
Thanks for telling me, Joy!! So glad you liked them! I made a cake this afternoon that I can't wait to post about …. to be continued!!!
I love lentils however they are cooked, this looks really good.
So do I …. :))
ottimo cibo brava
The lentils sound wonderful, but I must tell you that I am impressed with the dice of your vegetables. They look like they were prepared by a chef. Your recipes are always interesting and I love to visit here. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Well, Mary, I am chuffed that you say that: I always feel that my knife skills should somehow be sharpened! I really appreciate you saying that :)) Thanks.
This looks great…I'm not a lamb eater. Well ever since I was a lil' kid one of my brothers told me it is like eating Bambi so I never touch lamb, yes still sticking to that story. :-(. But let me tell you, my husband loves it…so this will be copied and cooked for him.
Love how you put all the steps in….Have a great day!
Love how you are such a great follower :))) thanks.
I’m trying the recipe but loved how you photographed all the steps and how to cut veggies the pictures speak more than words thanks for it