Izmir Kofte

Izmir Kofte is a popular Turkish dish made with meatballs, vegetables, and a tangy tomato sauce. It is named after the city of Izmir, which is located on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Here is a recipe for Izmir Kofte:

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound of ground beef or lamb
• 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup of minced onion
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

For the Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 can of crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, minced onion, chopped parsley, egg, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
2. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender.
4. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the crushed tomatoes, water, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
6. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and vegetables in the skillet.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through.
8. Serve the Izmir Kofte hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley, if desired.

This Izmir Kofte recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home. You can serve it with rice, bread, or salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!