RECIPE
© James Baigrie
Turkey Kibbe Kebabs with Two Sauces
- Contributed by Burhan Cagda
- ACTIVE: 45 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN
-
SERVINGS:
6 first-course servings
Kibbe kebabs are made from chopped meat and (very often) bulgur and formed into sausagelike shapes. Here, turkey replaces the traditional lamb.
- ACTIVE: 45 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN
-
SERVINGS:
6 first-course servings
- HEALTHY
- MAKE-AHEAD
- STAFF-FAVORITE
Ingredients
-
Parsley, Lemon and Walnut Sauce
- 2 lemons
- 3/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch each of freshly ground black pepper and Aleppo pepper
-
Yogurt-Garlic Sauce
- 2 cups plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
-
Turkey Kebabs
- 1 pound skinless, boneless turkey thigh meat, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 cup medium-grain bulgur, rinsed
- 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- Warm pita bread, for serving
Directions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the lemons into eighths and discard any seeds. Cut the lemon flesh from the peel and coarsely chop the flesh. Transfer to a small bowl and add the parsley, mint, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, water, salt and black and Aleppo peppers. Set aside for 1 hour.
- In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt with the water. Stir in the parsley, garlic and salt. Let stand for 1 hour.
- Light a grill or preheat the broiler. In a food processor, pulse the turkey meat until finely ground. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, bulgur, onion, flour, salt, black pepper, allspice, cumin and Aleppo pepper and process to a paste, about 30 seconds. Form the mixture into six 1 1/2-by-7-inch logs on metal skewers.
- Brush the kebabs with olive oil and grill for 5 minutes over moderately high heat, turning once, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, broil the kebabs for 5 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve the turkey kebabs with warm pita bread and the 2 sauces.
Make Ahead
The parsley sauce can be made up to 2 hours ahead. The yogurt sauce and formed turkey kebabs can be refrigerated overnight.Notes
The Aleppo pepper called for in the kibbe kebabs recipe is a Turkish crushed chile, which is more robust and slightly fruitier than regular red chile flakes. If you can't find Aleppo pepper, substitute 1/4 teaspoon of paprika and a tiny pinch of cayenne.- From Kebab Secrets of Gaziantep, Recipe of the Day: August 2009
- Published June 2006