Lebanese Lentil Kibbeh Patties

Ingredients

• 2 cups crushed red lentils
• 1 1/2 cups fine bulgur, washed, soaked, and drained
• 4 1/2 cups water for boiling the lentils
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika or sweet red pepper powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon sweet pepper paste
• Salad preparation method:
• Finely chop two tomatoes and one small dried onion..

Method

1. Boil the lentils with 1 teaspoon of salt until fully cooked and they absorb all the water in the pot, making sure the lentils do not stick to the bottom of the pot
2. Remove the pot from the heat and add the fine bulgur, pepper paste, cumin, paprika, and lemon zest. Stir the ingredients, cover the pot, and let it cool completely
3. Fry the onion, chopped into small cubes, in a little oil until browned
4. Add the fried onion and parsley to the lentil and bulgur pot and mix well
5. Knead or rub the ingredients well with the palms of your hands, the same way you prepare meat kibbeh
6. Shape the lentil kibbeh into small patties
7. Serve the lentil kibbeh patties with salad
8. Add two pickled cucumbers, chopped into small cubes
9. Add one cup of pomegranate seeds
10. Season the salad with three tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried mint, 1 teaspoon paprika, and a pinch of salt
11. Mix the salad ingredients well and serve it alongside the lentil kibbeh patties