Today's Recommended Dish/ Recipe for Delicious and Traditional Middle Eastern Chicken Kofta

Chicken Kofta Recipe:

Step 1:
Soak the split peas in water for at least 6 hours to remove their bitterness. Soak the rice in salted water for about an hour to let it absorb.

Step 2:
Once the split peas have soaked, drain them and place them with 2 cups of water in a suitable pot. Heat the pot and let the peas cook for about 45 minutes to an hour until soft.

Step 3:
After soaking, transfer the rice with some water to another pot. The water level should be about a finger's width above the rice. Bring it to a boil and cook the rice until the water is absorbed.

Step 4:
Now, grind the chicken meat. For a better taste, it’s recommended to use a combination of chicken thighs and breasts. Place the chicken in a bowl and grate one of the onions.

Step 5:
Squeeze out the juice from the grated onion and add the onion to the bowl. Then, finely chop the herbs and add them to the mixture. Once the rice is cooked, add it to the bowl as well.

Step 6:
Once the split peas are cooked, drain them and mash them with a meat mallet. Add them to the bowl along with some salt, red pepper, black pepper, turmeric, brewed saffron, and the egg. Mix everything well.

Step 7:
Knead the mixture for 15 minutes until it becomes cohesive. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. After this time, remove the bowl from the fridge.

Step 8:
Take about the size of an orange from the mixture and shape it in your hands. Flatten it in your palm and place some barberries and fried onions in the center. Gather and press the kofta to ensure it stays together.

Step 9:
Repeat the process for the remaining koftas. Finely chop the remaining onion and heat some oil in a pan. Add the onion to the pan and sauté until golden.

Step 10:
Add some spices and tomato paste to the pan and sauté until the paste darkens. Once the tomato paste is well-cooked, add 1 liter of boiling water to the pan.

Step 11:
Wait for the water and tomato paste to combine and come to a boil. Then, lower the heat and carefully add the koftas into the sauce. Let them cook for 1-2 hours.

Step 12:
While the koftas are cooking, turn them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. Once they are ready, arrange them in a serving dish and garnish with barberries and fried onions.