Hunter’s Kebab with Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 300-400g ground beef (adjust according to the number of servings)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (galeta unu)
• 1 medium-sized onion, grated
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• For the vegetables:
  • 4 medium-sized potatoes
  • 2 carrots (optional)
  • 4 bell peppers
  • 2 red bell peppers (kapya biber)
  • 2 onions or 10 pearl onions
  • 1 cup boiled peas
• For the sauce:
  • 3 grated tomatoes
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • Salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Instructions:

1. Let’s start by preparing the meatballs. Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs together. Do not drain the juice from the grated onion as the breadcrumbs will absorb it. If your onion is not juicy, moisten the breadcrumbs with a little water. Knead the mixture well and let it rest for 20 minutes.
2. Peel and dice the carrots and potatoes. Cut the bell peppers into three or four pieces. In the same pan with the same oil, fry the vegetables one by one. Start with the potatoes, then add the carrots, bell peppers, and mushrooms, and fry them lightly. After that, shape the meatball mixture into meatballs and fry them as well. Lastly, lightly fry the julienned onions or pearl onions.
3. Place the fried vegetables in a baking dish, and on top of them, add the boiled peas. Arrange the meatballs on the vegetables.
4. For the sauce, mix the grated tomatoes, hot water, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, and dried oregano (if using) in a saucepan. Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and vegetables in the baking dish.
6. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and cover the dish with greased parchment paper. Bake the dish for about 30 minutes, checking occasionally.
7. Once the kebab is cooked and the flavors are well combined, serve it hot.

Enjoy your delicious Kofteli Avci Kebab (Hunter’s Kebab with Meatballs)!

Recipe courtesy of yemek_kelebegi.