Kofta

This is a twist on a typical Middle Eastern. This dish is made from your choice of ground

beef, lamb, or chicken. Add in a few of  your favorite herbs and spices, and you can get a variety of meals with just a few ingredients. This is one of my favorite, easy and flavorful dishes to make.

Total Time:         25 minutes

Prep time:          15 minutes     

Cook time:              10 minutes                             

Cuisine:                  Turkish

Course:                     Dinner

Guests:                        4

INGREDIENTS

·       1 ½ lb. ground chicken, or beef, or sausage

·       1 small shallot, thinly diced

·       2 garlic cloves, minced

·       1 teaspoon thyme

·       2 teaspoons oregano

·       2 teaspoons basil

·       ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (or more to your liking)

·       ½ teaspoon sweet paprika

·       Salt and pepper

·       1 whisked egg

·       Drizzle olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     Chicken/spices: In a large bowl, mix together the chicken/beef/sausage, shallot, garlic, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix with your hands to ensure all spices and herbs are mixed with the meat.

2.     Egg: Once the spices and herbs are well mixed, mix the egg into the meat mixture. Start by adding a little bit of the egg at a time. Too much egg will make the mixture wet. This recipe needs to have just enough egg so that the mixture is still shapable. i.e. make into patties, or sausage like links.

3.     Olive oil: Drizzle a bit of olive oil over mixture and mix again.

4.     Shape the patties: You can make patties or roll the meat mixture into sausage links.

a.      Patties: takes a medium sized handful of the meat mixture and form patties.

b.     Skewers/sausage links: roll the meat into sausage like links. You can also take skewers and place the meat mixture and form sausage links onto the skewers.

5.     Cooking: On a griddle or a gas grill over medium heat, place the patties/links and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until they look done. Cooking time will vary based on the type of meat being used. Just make sure it’s done.

6.     Serve: Place on a pretty serving dish and serve to your guests.

7.     Enjoy 

Note:

This dish can also be made with a variety of herbs and spices as well as different meat. Try beef, or ground lamb, or turkey. Vary the amounts and kinds of spices and herbs based on the type of meat used.