Turkish Lentil & Walnut Köfte with Pomegranate-Tahini Sauce
Prep 15 min · Cook 25 min · Serves 1 · medium

Crispy pan-fried patties made from red lentils, walnuts, and warm spices, served with a tangy pomegranate-tahini drizzle over bulgur pilaf and garlicky sautéed kale. A Middle Eastern street-food inspired dinner with rich, nutty flavors.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup red lentils, dried
- 1.25 cups water, for cooking lentils
- 0.25 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 0.33 cup bulgur wheat, fine, uncooked
- 0.5 cup vegetable broth, for bulgur
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 tbsp tahini, sesame paste
- 1.5 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp ground coriander
- 0.25 tsp sumac, optional
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice, fresh
- 2.5 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, or flour for binding
- to taste salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Rinse red lentils and cook in 1.25 cups water for 15-18 minutes until very soft. Drain well and let cool completely.
- 2
Meanwhile, bring vegetable broth to boil, add bulgur, remove from heat, cover and let sit 15 minutes until tender. Fluff and cool.


