Description
Sumptuous Spiced Kofta Medley brings Mediterranean charm to your dining table with succulent lamb meatballs infused with aromatic spices. Rich Middle Eastern flavors dance through tender koftas, inviting you to savor a culinary journey of warmth and authentic taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (lb) / 454 grams ground beef
- 0.5 pound (lb) / 227 grams ground lamb
- 1 slice of bread, toasted until browned and soaked in water until fully tender
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1.5 teaspoons ground allspice
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon ground green cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoon ground sumac
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Fresh Ingredients:
- 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 whole bunch parsley, stems removed (about 2 packed cups parsley leaves)
Serving Components:
- Pita bread
- Tahini sauce
- Tomato wedges
- Onion wedges
- Additional parsley
Instructions
- Immerse wooden skewers in cold water for 30-60 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Prepare gas grill by lightly coating grates with olive oil and heating to medium-high temperature (around 400°F/204°C) for approximately 20 minutes.
- Prepare accompaniments like fresh pita bread, chopped vegetables, and tahini sauce in advance to streamline serving process.
- Pulse onion, garlic, and parsley in food processor until finely minced. Add ground beef, ground lamb, soaked bread (thoroughly squeezed to remove excess moisture), and aromatic spices; process until ingredients form a cohesive, smooth meat mixture.
- Transfer meat blend into large mixing bowl. Divide mixture evenly and shape around skewers, creating cylindrical kebabs approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) thick, ensuring uniform size and consistent cooking.
- Carefully position skewered kofta onto preheated grill. Cook first side for 4-5 minutes until exterior develops golden-brown caramelization, then rotate and grill opposite side for additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- Remove kofta from grill and allow brief resting period. Serve immediately with warm pita bread, drizzled tahini sauce, chopped herbs, and complementary side dishes for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Wooden skewers need a water bath for 30-60 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Gas grill preparation involves lightly oiling grates and preheating to medium-high temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Blend onion, garlic, and parsley in a food processor until finely chopped, creating an aromatic base for the meat mixture.
- Mix ground beef and lamb with squeezed bread, ensuring no excess moisture disrupts the texture of the kofta kebabs.
- Shape meat mixture onto skewers, creating uniform 1-inch thick kebabs that will cook evenly on the grill.
- Grill kofta for 4 minutes per side, achieving a perfect golden-brown exterior with juicy interior.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg