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Street Food

Kyufte

The Quirky Foodster Team

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10 min
Cook
2
Servings

Ingredients

  • 600 g (1.3 lb) minced pork or pork-beef mix
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried savory (chubritsa)
  • 1 slice stale bread, soaked in water and squeezed
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Combine mince, grated onion, garlic, cumin, savory, soaked bread, salt and pepper in a bowl; mix well.
  2. Rest in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to firm up.
  3. Shape into flat, round patties about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick.
  4. Grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
  5. Serve hot with bread, fries, or a simple salad.

Introduction: Kyufte are flat, spiced meat patties, close cousins to kebapche, grilled or pan-fried and sold at street grills and casual eateries as a quick, satisfying meal wrapped in bread or served with fries.

Cultural Background: Kyufte are flat, spiced meat patties, close cousins to kebapche, grilled or pan-fried and sold at street grills and casual eateries as a quick, satisfying meal wrapped in bread or served with fries.

Tips: Soaked bread keeps the patties tender and moist. Flatten patties evenly so they cook through without burning the outside.

Variations: Some versions stuff the center with a cube of cheese for a molten filling (kyufte s sirene). A lighter version uses ground chicken instead of pork. No authentic vegetarian version; the dish is defined by its seasoned minced meat base.

Storage: Refrigerate cooked kyufte up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side, or in a 160°C (320°F) oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition: Approx. 250 kcal, 19g protein, 17g fat, 4g carbs per patty.

FAQs:

Q: Can I bake kyufte instead of frying?
A: Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 20 minutes, turning once, for a lighter version.

Q: What is the cheese-stuffed version called?
A: It’s known as kyufte s sirene, a popular variation with a molten cheese center.