Kofta - Spiced Ground Beef Meatballs

There  are variations of this spiced beef "meatball" known as "kofta".  More than the regular add-ins to ground beef, this has an exotic array of fresh and dried herbs .  They may seem to be unlikely combinations but together they infuse a bold, sweet, complex flavour into your every day ground round.

 

There are plenty of variations out there on what the "right" spice/herb blend should be.  Well, there isn't a definitive in my opinion. This recipe has my selection of what I think hits the mark. 

 

If you can, try barbecuing them.  It will bring out the taste of this spiced meat even more!

 

There are just as many sauces to accompany these little beef baubles.  I keep it simple because the star of the show is the kofta! 

 

So... less chat and more cooking!  On with it!

Kofta Sauce (ingredients shown below)

Make this first so the flavours can blend

while you make the kofta. 

                                   

                              1/2 C plain yogurt

                              1 T dried dill

                              1/4 t dried granulated garlic or,

                              1 fresh clove minced

                              A couple of grindings of salt.

 

 Let's get making our kofta!

Here's what you'll need:

                             1 pound lean ground beef

 

                             1/2 C Italian parsley

                             1 small onion

                             2 large garlic cloves

                             1/4 C olive oil (not shown)

     Put these ingredients in a food processor.

Run until everything is finely chopped and blended.

                              1 T ground coriander

                              1 t cinnamon

                              1 t cumin

                              1/2 t paprika

                              1/2 t salt

                              1/4 t cayenne pepper

                              1/4 ground ginger

                              1/4 nutmeg 

                          





 Mix all the spices listed above.

 

Put the beef into a large bowl.

Add the parsley, garlic, onion, oil paste.

 

Throw on the spice mix.

 

Now get your hands in there and mix everything through.

 

This is what it looks like when its fully blended.

 

Take about 2 heaping tablespoons of the beef mixture

and roll into a football shaped "kofta".

Place them on waxed paper as you complete them.

 

Here is a close-up of what they should look like.

On medium-high, heat a few tablespoons of oil.

Place your kofta in the hot oil.

 

Watch over them...

 

Turn when browned, after about 5 minutes.

Cook until browned on the other side, about 4 minutes.

 

Serve the kofta drizzled with the yogurt dill sauce.

It's paired here with a quinoa parsley pomegranate salad.

 

Kofta...

A ground beef  experience elevated to the realm of the exotic!