Koupes (Bulgur & Minced Meat Croquettes)

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~ Ingredients: ~ 2 cups of bulgur wheat ~ 2 1/2 cups of water ~ 1/2 a tsp of salt ~ Corn oil for frying ~ Filling Ingredients: ~ 1/2 a kilo of minced pork ~ 3 large onions finely chopped ~ 1/4 bunch of parsley finely chopped ~ Corn oil for frying ~ Salt and plenty of pepper

 

~ Pour the water in a saucepan, add the salt and bring to boil. ~ Add to the boiling water the bulgur, remove from the heat and set aside until is completely cold. ~ In the meantime sauté the chopped onions until they are soft. ~ Add the minced meat and salt and pepper. ~ Simmer until is cooked, adding the chopped parsley towards the end of cooking. ~ Once the minced meat is cooked, remove from the heat and drain the excess oil. ~ Once the bulgur mixture is completely cold, knead well. ~ Take some bulgur mixture, (Depending on how big you want to make your Koupes) knead in your hands and shape into a ball. ~ Using your thumb, form an opening in the center of the ball mixture and work it until you form a tube with thin walls. ~ Wet your hands occasionally with water when forming the bulgur tubes. ~ Some people use a little stick the thickness of your thumb to form the tube. ~ Either way you decide to use will serve the purpose of making a tube with thin walls. ~ Making sure one end of the tube is close, fill the tube with the minced meat mixture, using the handle of a teaspoon to stuff it to the end. ~ Once the bulgur tube is filled, close the other end by just pinching the walls. ~ Fry the Koupes (Bulgur & Minced Meat Croquettes) in plenty of hot oil, a few at a time until they are golden brown allover. ~ Remove from the hot oil and place on a kitchen paper towel to drain any excess oil. ~ Koupes (Bulgur & Minced Meat Croquettes) are served hot and they can be eaten as a snack or as an appetizer. ~ Koupes (Bulgur & Minced Meat Croquettes) are very popular in Cyprus and especially at festivals wherever they happen to be. ~ Good luck and good eating. ~ Note: ~ Koupes can be made vegetarian, by replacing the minced meat with mushrooms and other vegetables of choice finely chopped.