Armenianbulgurandpotatoballs Recipes

ARMENIAN BULGUR SALAD (ITCH OR EECH)

Steps:

• In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, warm the olive oil then cook the onions and green pepper just until the onion begins to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for just one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper and cayenne and cook covered for 10 minutes. Add the water and bulgur. Stir to coat the bulgur. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 more minutes. Remove from the heat, stir and cover for an additional 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice before refrigerating.
• Top with green onion, fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.

ARMENIAN BULGUR AND POTATO BALLS

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes; boil in the skins until tender, then drain, remove skins, and mash.
• Place bulgur in a small bowl and cover with cold water and set aside for 5 minutes; then drain in a sieve, pressing to get all the water out as possible.
• Mix together potato, bulgur, flour, salt and pepper, blending into a thick paste.
• Place onion and oil in a skillet and sauté until onion is tender, then place in a bowl with remaining filling ingredients; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Shape bulgur/potato mixture into balls and flatten in your hands; place a teaspoon or so of filling in the center of the flattened potato mixture and close up the potato part around it, forming a smooth oval shaped ball.
• Repeat with remaining paste and filling.
• Heat oil and deep fry balls several at a time for about 6-8 minutes, turning to brown both sides; drain on paper toweling before serving.
• Serve hot or warm.

OVEN BAKED MEATBALLS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 450 F degrees.
• Prep your Turkish meatballs as directed in the recipe. Roll them into balls. For a 10-inch plate that is 2-inches wide, you will need 21 meatballs.
• Slice each potato into 1/2 -inch thick slices. Season each slice with 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
• Place a slice of potato in the palm of your hand and put a meatball on top. Shape the meatball in a way that will be similar to the size of the potato. Place it on a large plate and continue with the rest of the potato slices and meatballs.
• Arrange the potato slices and meatballs like I did in the video above, starting from the outer corners and ending in the middle. For a 10-inch plate, you should have 17 meatballs+potatoes and 3-4 in the middle.
• Garnish with cherry tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and parsley. Spread cubed butter on top.
• Mix tomato sauce, water, and rest of the salt in a cup. Pour the mixture over the meatballs and potatoes.
• Cover it first with parchment paper and then with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. Then remove the parchment paper and aluminum foil and bake for another 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle it with more parsley and serve.

KHOROVATS (ARMENIAN GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD)

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to the medium heat. (About 350F. You should be able to hold your hand a few inches from the grate for 5-7 seconds.)
• With a fork, poke holes in the skin of the eggplants in three or four places. Place the tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers on the grill. Close the lid.
• Check on the vegetables every once in a while and turn them as needed.
• Cook the vegetables for about 20 minutes or until they are soft and start to collapse.
• Arrange on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs and chopped red onion.
• Transfer the cooked vegetables from the grill into a bowl. Cover with a lid and let it stand until the vegetables are cool enough to handle (5-10 minutes).
• Remove the skin from the vegetables and chop into chunks. Drain the liquid as needed.
• Transfer into a salad bowl and add the garlic, herbs, and olive oil if using. Season with salt. Serve warm.