Kaşarlı Köfte – Meatballs With Cheese

Meatballs are one of the most popular foods in Turkish cusine. Fresh "kaşar" cheese is a smooth, firm, salty yellow cheese.

Meatballs are one of the most popular foods in Turkish cusine. Fresh “kaşar” cheese is a smooth, firm, salty, yellow cheese. Kaşar is used in everything from grilled cheese and pizza to breakfast pastries and sandwiches because it is a versatile cheese, delicious sliced as well as melted.

There are several ways to prepare this dish. The first way is to make “sandwiches” by placing a slice of cheese in between two flattened meatballs. The second method is to make one giant sandwich inside an ovenproof glass or ceramic pan. Once it’s cooked, the giant patty is cut into squares. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound / 600 grams ground beef
• 1/3 pound / 200 grams ground lamb
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, grated and drained
• 4 slices stale white bread, crusts removed
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley leaves
• 1 tsp. oregano
• ½ tsp. cumin
• ½ tsp. sweet paprika or hot red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 cup grated Turkish kaşar cheese, or other cheese

How to prepare:

1. Grate the onion, drain press out the extra juice gently in a wire strainer. Put the strained onion in a large bowl. Next, wet the stale bread with water and wring out the excess. Break up the wet bread and put it in the bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients except the cheese and knead together for several minutes.

2. Take pieces of the meat mixture about the size of walnuts. Flatten them to make thin patties. Put a generous amount of grated cheese in the center of half the patties. Place another patty on the top of the cheese and pinch around each one lightly to close the edges. Repeat.

3. The best way to cook the meatballs is in a non-stick skillet with a light spray of oil. First heat the skillet, then carefully place the meatballs on it. Turn the heat to low. When one side is nicely browned, gently flip the meatballs and brown on the other side.

4. The other way to prepare kaşarlı köfte is to make one large patty and cut it into squares. Use a glass or ceramic baking pan. Lightly oil it, then line the bottom with half of the meat mixture. Spread the grated cheese evenly over the top. Use the second half of the meat mixture to make another layer over the top. Bake at 390° F/200° C for about 20 to 25 minutes until the top and bottom are nicely browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Cut the patty into squares and serve.

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