Middle Eastern Meatballs Kofta Kebabs
Before diving into the delightful world of Middle Eastern meatballs, let's consider what pairs well with these flavorful kofta kebabs.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 6
Calories 300 kcal
- 1 pound ground beef or ground lamb
- 1 full bunch of fresh parsley stems trimmed (equals about 2 packed cups of leaves)
- 1 slice hearty bread toasted until golden
- 1 medium yellow onion roughly quartered
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground green cardamom
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon sumac spice
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 10 ounces creamy hummus about 1 cup
- Extra virgin olive oil for cooking and drizzling
- Pita bread for serving (optional but recommended)
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
Start by gathering all your ingredients. In a food processor, combine the parsley, onion, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped. Next, add the ground meat of your choice. Mix in the toasted bread, all the spices, and the lemon juice. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Blend until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Preheat the Grill
- Soak wooden skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Experiment with spices: Feel free to add spices like cumin or cinnamon for extra depth.
- Don’t overwork the meat: Mix just until combined. Overworking can make the kebabs tough.
- Use ground lamb for richness: Lamb provides a more traditional flavor that many prefer in kofta.
- Serve with a cooling dip: A yogurt sauce with mint and cucumber can balance the spices beautifully.
Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 25gFat: 20gFiber: 2g
Keyword middle eastern meatballs kofta kebabs