The flavor hidden inside tomatoes: Frenk Kebabı recipe

Frenk Kebabı offers a delicious way to use abundant tomatoes during their peak season, merging a savory ground meat mixture with the fruit for a special dish. This recipe is notably easy to prepare, making it an elegant choice for serving at large gatherings.

The preparation involves a flavorful köfte (meatball) mixture. For the base, 700 grams of ground beef are combined with one grated onion, two chopped kapia peppers, a tablespoon each of tomato and pepper paste, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and a teaspoon each of red pepper flakes and black pepper. This mixture is thoroughly kneaded until well-integrated.

To assemble the dish, 13 medium-sized tomatoes are washed and scored with four cuts from the stem end, taking care not to separate them completely. Pieces of the prepared ground meat mixture are then inserted into the cuts of each tomato. These stuffed tomatoes are arranged with space between them on a baking tray.

Finally, the dish is baked. A mixture of half a cup of vegetable oil and two cups of water is poured over the tomatoes. The tray is then placed in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius and baked for approximately 35 minutes, with careful monitoring. Frenk Kebabı is best served hot, offering a delightful culinary experience.