Lamb Kofta Food

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• Place the nuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until finely chopped but not pasty. Transfer the nuts to a small dry skillet over medium heat; cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Pour the nuts into mixing bowl large enough to hold all of the ingredients, and set aside to cool. (Don't leave the nuts in the pan, as the residual heat may cause them to burn.)
• Place the onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro in the bowl of the food processor (no need to clean it first). Pulse until the vegetables are finely minced but not puréed. Set a fine sieve over a medium bowl. Transfer the minced vegetables to the sieve and use a rubber spatula to press out as much liquid as possible. Add the strained vegetable mixture to the bowl with the nuts.
• To the veggies and nuts, add the lamb, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt, and white pepper. Using your hands, mash the mixture together until evenly combined.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Form the mixture into patties about 2 inches in diameter and ½-inch thick (they will puff up on the grill to look like meatballs). Place on the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the kofta on the grill and cook, covered, until browned, about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve with tzatziki and hummus.
• Note: If you like your kofta spicy, reserve some of the seeds from the jalapeño pepper and add them with the vegetables. Also, be sure to wash your hands well after handling hot peppers, and do not touch your eyes while working with them.
• Make-Ahead: The patties can be made and refrigerated up to two days ahead of time.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The uncooked patties can be frozen for up to three months. (Freeze the patties on a baking sheet or plate so their shape sets, then transfer them to a sealable plastic bag for easy storage.) Defrost the burgers overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving and then cook as directed.

LAMB KOFTA KEBAB RECIPE

Steps:

• Add the 1 tbsp of olive oil to a frying pan (or skillet) and heat over a medium heat.
• Add in the finely diced onion and fry for 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally until the onion softens and starts to caramelise.
• Add in the 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds stirring continuously.
• Place the onion and garlic in a bowl and allow to cool.
• In a mixing bowl add the minced lamb and the remaining kofta ingredients along with the cooled onion and garlic mixture.
• Mix together until thoroughly combined.
• Shape the mixture into koftas on skewers with wet hands (we're using wet hands to help ensure the mixture doesn't stick to you). Squeeze them quite tightly to the skewers (see note 1 and 2).
• Cook the koftas on a griddle or BBQ on medium to high heat for around 5-7 minutes, turning 3-4 times during cooking (see note 3). When turning it's a good idea to have a set of tongs handy, as the meat needs a bit of extra support when turning initially - as it's quite delicate.
• Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
• Serve with some flatbreads, yoghurt dip and a sprinkling of fresh coriander.

LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• Put the lamb in a mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly. If the lamb is not properly mixed, the kofta will fall apart on the skewer.
• Form the lamb into small patties about the size of a walnut. Mold the patties tightly around a long skewer so they form small oval shapes. Four or five will fit on a skewer.
• Heat a broiler or charcoal coals and when hot, grill the kofta, turning once, until they are golden brown, for about 6 minutes.

LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except oil and yogurt sauce. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a wooden spoon. Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, and flatten into ovals or football shapes, about 1/4 inch thick.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half the lamb patties. Cook until first side is golden brown, about 3 minutes; flip patties, and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Wipe skillet with a paper towel; heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Repeat process with the remaining lamb patties. Serve warm or at room temperature with yogurt sauce on the side.

LAMB KOFTA WITH LABNEH DIP

Steps:

• Make the meatballs: Mix the lamb and beef with the onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup water, the parsley, mint, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the paprika, cumin, sumac, allspice and a few grinds of pepper until just combined. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 20).
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning, until browned and cooked through, 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dip: Mix the labneh with the lemon juice in a bowl; season with salt. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sumac. Transfer the meatballs to a platter and sprinkle with mint. Serve with the dip.

LAMB KOFTA BURGER

Steps:

• For the tahini-yogurt sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, tahini, salt, lemon zest and juice and 1 tablespoon water. Cover and reserve in the refrigerator.
• For the pickled turnips: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 1/2 cups water with the cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, bay leaves, garlic, beets and turnips. Bring to a quick boil to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve the turnips only; discard the beets, bay leaves and pickling brine.
• For the garlic butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and garlic and cook until fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the parsley and mix well. Set aside in a small bowl.
• For the lamb kofta burger: Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat.
• In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground lamb, garlic, onion, parsley, allspice, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together to evenly distribute the spices, being careful not to overmix. Divide into six equal portions and shape into a round, tight patties, about 4 inches wide.
• Place the patties on the grill, spaced 3 inches apart to prevent flare ups. Grill for 3 minutes on the first side to develop a crust. Flip, and cook on the second side until medium-well, 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Brush the cut sides of the brioche buns lightly with garlic butter and toast on the grill until golden and crisp, 5 to 10 seconds. Flip, and toast the outsides until lightly toasted, another 5 to 10 seconds.
• To assemble: Layer the bottom buns with a burger, some tahini sauce, pickled turnips, lettuce, tomato and onion. Cover with the top buns and serve immediately.

LAMB KöFTE WITH YOGURT SAUCE AND MUHAMMARA

Steps:

• For yogurt sauce:
• Stir all ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Cover and chill.
• For Köfte:
• Line large rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap. Gently mix lamb and next 8 ingredients in large bowl. Using moistened hands and scant 2 tablespoonfuls for each, roll meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Arrange on sheet.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place large sheet of foil on work surface. Heat large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add flatbreads to skillet 1 at a time; cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Enclose in foil; place in oven to keep warm.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer onions to 1 side of large rimmed baking sheet; place in oven to keep warm.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to same skillet; heat over medium-high heat. Sauté half of meatballs until just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet in oven. Repeat with remaining meatballs, adding oil to skillet if dry. Reserve skillet.
• For muhammara:
• Add roasted peppers to reserved skillet; stir 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses. Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits. Cook until reduced to 2/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Mix in parsley. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more pomegranate molasses, if desired. Transfer to small bowl.
• Arrange onions and meatballs on platter. Serve with warm breads, yogurt sauce, and muhammara.
• Available at some supermarkets, natural foods stores, and Middle Eastern markets.
• ** A thick pomegranate syrup; available at some supermarkets, at Middle Eastern markets, and from adrianascaravan.com.

LAMB KOFTAS

Steps:

• Mix together all the ingredients until well blended. Divide into eight balls, then roll each ball on a board with a cupped hand to turn them into ovals. Thread onto four metal skewers and brush with oil.
• To cook on a griddle: heat the pan until you can feel a good heat rising and cook for 3-4 mins each side. Don't turn until they are well sealed or the meat will stick to the grill or pan.
• Season if you want, and set aside. Serve the koftas with yogurt and spiced flat breads.

LAMB KOFTA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Yogurt Sauce.
• In a small bowl, mix together all yogurt sauce ingredients, cover and chill while preparing the kofta. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
• Kofta.
• Place an oven rack in the center position of the oven.
• Preheat oven to broil.
• Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
• Place the bread in a food processor and pulse until it forms fine bread crumbs.
• Add the onion, parsley,mint,garlic,cumin,cinnamon,chili powder,salt, black pepper,ginger and red curry paste and process until the mixture is finely chopped.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• Mix the egg into the onion and herb mixture.
• Add the lamb and turkey and use your hands to thoroughly mash everything together.
• Shape mixture into 12 egg-sized balls, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
• Lightly spray the kofta with olive oil.
• Broil for 8 minutes, then use tongs to rotate each and broil an additional 7 minutes.
• Rotate again, and broil for another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove from oven, and let stand 5 minutes.
• Wrap the pitas in foil, and place in oven for 1 to 2 minutes, just long enough to heat through.
• Arrange 3 koftas down the center of each of each pita, then top with diced tomato and yogurt sauce.
• Wrap the pita around the koftas and enjoy!

LAMB KOFTA KEBABS FROM JAMIE OLIVER

Steps:

• Put the pistachios into a blender and chop until they're all about half size.
• Add the lamb and thyme, along with most of the cumin, chili and sumac (or lemon zest) (reserve a little for sprinkling on the made-up kebab). Add salt and pepper to season.
• Pulse until it's mixed and looks like a chunky mince. If you don't pulse, you'll end up with a puree).
• Shape onto four metal skewers, so you have four sausage shapes. Dimple the kebabs with your fingers to improve the cooked texture.
• Place in the fridge for a couple of hours to "set" the meat a little.
• Put kebabs onto a very hot barbecue and cook until nicely golden.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the sliced onion with a good pinch of salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice, which will take the edge off the onion.
• Just before the kebabs are ready, add the salad leaves, mint and parsley to the bowl and mix together. Add another pinch of salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and another squeeze of lemon.
• Warm your tortillas on the griddle (or in the microwave for a few seconds).
• Place a spoonful of the salad mix in the middle, top with a kebab and a dollop of creme fraiche, and sprinkle with a little of the left over spices. Drizzle with a little olive oil, wrap up and eat, delish!