Kofte (Turkish meatballs)

These are juicy and delicious. You can use this as a burger recipe, too!


Ingredients

-1 pack of ground beef (about 1.5 - 2 lbs)***
-1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped or grated*** (depending how you like it)
-1 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 tsp.***
-1 tsp. salt + 1/2 tsp.***
-1 tsp. vinegar
-1/2-1 tsp. cumin
-1/2 tsp.t black pepper
-3 sprigs of fresh parsley, finely chopped
-olive oil for cooking

***You are going to make a starter for this by mixing 1/4 of the beef, 1/4 of the onion, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. baking soda. Mix it all together by squeezing between your hands, then place in a ziploc bag and leave in the fridge overnight.

Directions

1) Mix onions, salt, cumin, parsley, and black pepper in a medium-large bowl.
2) Add baking soda and vinegar so it starts to fizz.
3) Mix in the beef and starter fairly quickly, so the chemical reaction is still going on
4) Cover tightly in plastic wrap and leave kofte mix in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, preferably at least 2-4 hours, to allow it to "puff up".
5) Heat the olive oil on medium-high heat in a large pan
6) Meanwhile, roll the kofte into slightly flattened 2-by-1-inch meatballs and cook them in the olive oil on both sides until cooked through
7) Place onto plate with paper towel to absorb some of the grease