Koftas Recipe 🍽️

Welcome to Love With Recipes, your go-to site for delightful, easy-to-follow recipes that will make your kitchen adventures exciting and rewarding! Today, we’re bringing you a delectable recipe for Koftas, a perfect blend of savory lamb and beef mince, aromatic herbs, and spices. These koftas are perfect as a main dish or can be made smaller for charming appetizers on toothpicks, served with a refreshing yogurt, garlic, and herb dipping sauce. Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe! 😋

Ingredients 🛒

To bring this flavorful dish to life, you will need the following ingredients:

• 500g lamb mince
• 1 shallot
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition Information 🍎

This recipe serves 4 and yields 10 koftas. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 420.4
• Fat Content: 35.8g
• Saturated Fat Content: 13.4g
• Cholesterol Content: 91.2mg
• Sodium Content: 77.3mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 2.4g
• Fiber Content: 0.7g
• Sugar Content: 0.3g
• Protein Content: 21.7g

Preparation and Cooking Times ⏲️

Instructions 👨‍🍳

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This will ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time you’re ready to bake your koftas.

2. Saute the Shallot:
   Heat the olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, filling your kitchen with a sweet, inviting aroma.

3. Toast the Pine Nuts:
   Add the pine nuts to the pan with the shallot and cook them until they turn a lovely golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. This step adds a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor to your koftas.

4. Add the Parsley:
   Once the pine nuts are nicely toasted, stir in the chopped parsley. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. The parsley will add a fresh, vibrant touch to the filling.

5. Mix the Mince:
   In a large bowl, combine the lamb mince, beef mince, sweet paprika, and ground cumin. Season generously with salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly. This ensures the spices and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

6. Form the Koftas:
   Take a small tablespoon of the mince mixture and flatten it in your hands. Place a teaspoon of the pine nut mixture in the center of the mince, then curl your hands around it to form a ball, making sure the nuts are completely covered. Repeat this process until all the mince is used up.

7. Bake the Koftas:
   Place the koftas on a baking dish lined with a rack. This will help them cook evenly and allow any excess fat to drip away. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the koftas are cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Once baked, remove the koftas from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve them warm with a yogurt, garlic, and herb dipping sauce for a truly delicious experience. Enjoy these koftas as a main dish or make them smaller for delightful appetizers. Bon appétit! 🥂

Additional Tips and Serving Suggestions 🌟

• Yogurt Dipping Sauce: To make a quick and easy yogurt dipping sauce, mix together plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (such as mint, dill, or cilantro), a squeeze of lemon juice, and salt to taste. This sauce complements the rich, savory flavor of the koftas beautifully.

• Appetizer Variation: For a fun and convenient appetizer, form the mince mixture into smaller balls and bake them as directed. Serve them on toothpicks with the yogurt dipping sauce on the side. They make a perfect party snack or a delightful addition to a mezze platter.

• Serving Ideas: These koftas pair wonderfully with a fresh salad, warm pita bread, and a side of rice or couscous. You can also serve them with roasted vegetables or a tangy tomato salad for a well-rounded meal.

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the koftas ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them. This makes them a great option for entertaining or for busy weeknight dinners.

This Koftas recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household, thanks to its rich flavors and simple preparation. Whether you’re serving them as a main dish or as a charming appetizer, these koftas are bound to impress. Enjoy cooking and savoring this delicious dish from Love With Recipes! 🍽️❤️