Chee kufta

Chee kufta  (also called khema or kheyma) is a raw meat dish/delicacy from Armenian cuisine, similar to the Turkish �ig k�fte or the European steak tartare. It is made with either beef or lamb, and usually served as an appetizer. In the beef variant, ground beef is used. Tendons and fat are removed before grinding the beef. Relatively expensive high-quality beef has to be used so that the meat can be safely served raw. London broil or top round are recommended choices for the ground beef. Since lamb is considered a "clean meat", and popular in Armenian cuisine, it is often used for chee kufta instead of beef. Both Armenians and Turks use chee kufta as a meze (Middle-Eastern appetizer), served almost freezing. The raw meat is not kept overnight and is reserved for special occasions. The lamb used must be deboned, degristled, and trimmed before it is prepared. The lamb is supposed to be butchered, bought, and prepared the very same day to ensure freshness. With either meat, finely ground bulgur (durum and other wheat) is required. Other ingredients are mild onions, scallions, parsley, and usually green pepper. Variants of the dish may use tomato sauce, Tabasco, and mint leaves. When served, it may be gathered into balls, or in one piece. Crackers or pita bread are sometimes used to consume it. In an episode of Taxicab Confessions, a young male Armenian tourist confirms to the cabdriver that his buddy is right that he would marry a woman who could prepare good chee kufta.