Lamb And Sumac Koftas Recipes

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 BURGERS WITH SUMAC YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add your ground lamb, onion, tomato, parsley and spices.
• Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients together until all are combined.
• Begin shaping into round burger shaped patties, about 1/4 pound each. You should be able to make 6 burgers with 1.5 pounds.
• Make a hole in the center of your burger with your finger, this is supposed to help with keeping the burger the same size and not shrinking.
• Place on heated medium/high grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-well.
• Remove from heat and assemble on your choice of bread. Add lettuce, tomato, onion, yogurt sumac sauce and even some feta cheese for an added bonus.
• Enjoy!

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.

MUSHROOM-LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and any liquid released from the mushrooms has cooked off, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate until cooled.
• Soak twelve 6-inch wooden skewers in water (or use metal skewers). Preheat a grill to medium high. Combine the lamb, parsley, onion, garlic, cumin, sumac, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Add the cooled mushrooms and mix well with your hands. Divide the mixture into 12 roughly shaped ovals. Press each oval onto a skewer and form into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangular log (about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide) around the skewer. Transfer to a plate or small baking sheet.
• Brush the grill lightly with olive oil. Grill the skewers, turning once, until the meat is marked and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with hummus, baba ghanoush, pita, tabbouleh and/or yogurt.

FRAGRANT LAMB KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 8 mins until soft but not golden. Remove to a bowl and set aside to cool. Tip the lamb mince and half the spice blend into a medium bowl with 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper and the cooled onions. Knead with your hands to combine evenly, then form into 16 equal meatballs. Return the pan to a medium heat and brown the meatballs all over. Remove to a plate using a slotted spoon.
• To make the sauce, fry the onion in the pan for 5 mins until beginning to soften, then add the ginger, garlic, chopped chilli (if using) and coriander stalks, and cook for a further 3 mins. Scatter in the remaining spice blend and cook for 1 min, then tip in the tomatoes, tomato purée, stock and three- quarters of the coconut cream. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer and cook for 15 mins until the sauce has reduced by a quarter.
• Return the meatballs to the pan and cook for a further 15 mins, basting the meatballs in the sauce every few minutes until the sauce has reduced by a further quarter, and the meatballs are cooked through. Drizzle over the remaining coconut cream, then scatter over the coriander leaves and sliced chilli and serve with cooked basmati rice.

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!

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.