Kofta bil laban - Lamb Kofta with Yoghurt خروف كفتة مع اللبن

My passion for Arabic/Middle Eastern cuisine was never a secret. I always loved cooking with fragrant spices and enjoy the smell of them whilst cooking. Arabic/Middle Eastern certainly does not lack from spices and taste. Cumin, turmeric, ground coriander and cinnamon are the most used but they use more than those three in their cooking, definitely. Yesterday we made Kofta Bil Laban which basically are meat patties/ served in Pitta bread with yoghurt. They are so tasty and the yoghurt makes the whole eating experience so refreshing. They are no rocket science to make, so you definitely should give these a go!! You will need...

For the Kofta (Makes 10)

• 500g Lamb mince
• 500g Beef mince
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
• Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 long bamboo sticks, soaked in water

For the yoghurt

• 300ml Natural plain yoghurt
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Pinch sea salt
• Fresh chopped mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint

To serve

• 10 Pitta Bread
• Lettuce or salad leaves
• Ripe tomatoes, sliced
• Hummus
• Hot sauce (optional)
  

1. Fry the onion in the olive oil until soft and transparent.
2. When onion is done, put all Kofta ingredients in a bowl and mix in the ingredients well.
3. Shape the mixture into 10 sausage-like patties of about 100g each and insert a skewer in the patty. (See picture)
4. Fry, grill or BBQ the Kofta until they are cooked through, make sure you turn them occasionally so they are cooked from both sides. 
5. In the meantime, prepare the yoghurt by mixing the four ingredients very well.
6. When kofta are ready, grill or toast the Pitta bread under a medium grill for about a minute on each side. Cut sideways and spread the hummous inside of the bread. Put salad and tomato and a Kofta.
7. Drizzle some yoghurt and hot sauce, if using and tuck in!

Enjoy!!

R&A