Tavuk Koftesi.

Translated in English: Chicken Patties. 

Turkey has it going on. They really know how to take something simple and blend just the right seasonings to make simple taste grand. So I found this recipe online on a Turkish blog and I thought how can my kids say these are awful. So I went to work on preparing. The funny thing is, I spent the night in the kitchen and really had nobody to feed. Katy wasn't feeling well, Elie was at soccer and Hannah, drivers ed. Andy ate earlier thinking he had to go back to work, only to get the call that his work was going to be delayed until midnight. So it was me that I was cooking for. And it's ok, very peaceful.

I guess the old saying rang true tonight, "if mama ain't happy, then nobody happy"... And Happy I was. Elie eventually came home and had some. Katy snuck down and tried one and Hannah showed up finally and thought they were good. Andy even tried one (I think he felt bad) and he was very enthusiastic about the flavor. Meal pleasing accomplished.

It's been quite the week so far in the life of us. Hannah had a friend leave this world on Sunday to teenage suicide. Very sad. A young man who hadn't seen life yet. She had spent weeks with him leading up to the Tiger Lillies syncro show and the night after the show, he took his life. So tragic. So troubling. So not simple. I really wish our kids lived life like we did back in the day. We had no instant connections. No cell phones. No computers. No instant gratification. I'm not saying suicide is new but it seems like more and more teenagers are choosing this solution to fix their problems. It's tragic. It's sad and my heart breaks for his parents. I throw this news out because it's part of our life journey. Not always bon-bons.

Tavuk Koftesi

1 lb. ground chicken

1 cup bread crumbs

1 onion, grated (I had no onion so I diced one green onion for a little flavor)

1 egg

1/3 cup parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp curry

1 tsp salt to taste

1/3 cup canola oil for frying

Mix all the ingredients but the canola oil in a big bowl. Then continue mixing with your hands for 3-4 minutes to make sure all the ingredients get mixed together.  Grab egg size or any size you like pieces, and using your palms round them to make chicken patties. Flatten in palms. Sizzle canola oil in frying pan and fry both sides of Chicken patties over medium heat. Serve Chicken Patties warm.