Lamb Kofte: How to Prepare
When you want a delicious taste of the Middle East, look no further than lamb kofte. While there are many variations of this popular dish, including cheese kofte and potato kofte, lamb kofte is a favorite. It can be combined with beef, but lamb has a more pronounced flavor. You can skip the beef altogether and opt for lamb to really tempt your taste buds. This dish is perfect at any time of year, but is especially enjoyable in the summer during barbecue season when you want to spice things up. Prepare lamb kofte for a pleasant break from typical burgers and dogs on the grill.
Begin With the Right Cut of Meat
In order to have the best results with this dish, you need a good cut of lamb. Go to your local butcher or the butcher counter at the supermarket and ask for a selection of lamb with plenty of fat to ensure it will hold up to grilling. The shoulder should provide you with a choice cut for your kofte.
Gather Your Flavoring
You’ll need seasoning to bring out the best in your kofte. Grated onion, mint, parsley, pine nuts, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper are great additions to lamb to create a scrumptious kofte. Note that each cook may try different variations to get the preferred taste. This recipe goes for a sweeter flavor in the end. You should chop the meat into small pieces. You can run it through a food processor to mince it. When you actually cook your kofte, you can put it on skewers, chilling the mixture and allowing the flavors to seep in. You can also form your meat mixture into long torpedoes or patties.
Putting Everything Together
Your first step is to grate your onions. Two small onions will be enough. Chop your parsley and mint into small pieces and mix with 750 grams of minced lamb and 50 grams of pine nuts that have been toasted and chopped. Don’t forget your spices. You’ll need one and a half teaspoons of cinnamon and allspice. Go with a half teaspoon of nutmeg. Add one and a half teaspoons of salt and pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly and form in the shape of your choice, from meatballs to skewers. You’ll cover your kofte and chill it in the fridge. It should chill at least an hour, but can safely chill up to twelve hours.
Lamb Kofte: Get Cooking
You have several choices when cooking your kofte. You can go with the grill, a griddle, or a frying pan. Coat the cooking surface with a little grease and turn your kofte often until it has turned a golden brown on each side. When your kofte is done, serve it with side dishes of your choosing. Many opt for a green salad, yogurt, and flatbreads. Kofte is a dish that is rich in flavor and appropriate for any time of year. You may find that you’ll want to replace your typical dishes at parties with fresh kofte straight off the grill. Try different variations when you want a change or you’re trying to discover a new favorite. Changing up the spices can add some excitement to your meal, ensuring you will never get tired of your food.
