Easma Kufta Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour
🥩 Description: This delightful Easma Kufta recipe was graciously shared with me by a former Armenian coworker. Its tantalizing aroma never fails to draw curious colleagues to the breakroom during lunchtime! Bursting with flavors from Southwest Asia, this Asian-inspired dish is both savory and satisfying, perfect for a quick and easy meal.
🍖 Recipe Category: Meat
🔑 Keywords: Southwest Asia (Middle East), Asian, < 60 Mins, Easy
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried parsley
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Bread crumbs (quantity as needed)
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 461.8
- Fat: 27.4g
- Saturated Fat: 10.5g
- Cholesterol: 168.5mg
- Sodium: 779.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 16.7g
- Fiber: 2.5g
- Sugar: 6.7g
- Protein: 36g
Instructions:
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Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, dried parsley, ground cumin, egg, and enough bread crumbs to bind the mixture together. Mix until well combined.
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Shape Kufta: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small football-shaped patties, ensuring they are evenly sized for even cooking.
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Prepare Sauce: In a large saucepan, combine the tomato sauce and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Cook Kufta: Carefully place the shaped kufta patties into the simmering tomato sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Allow the kufta to cook in the sauce for approximately 45 minutes, stirring gently occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Serve: Once the kufta are cooked through and the flavors have melded beautifully, serve them hot over a bed of fluffy rice pilaf. Garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor and vibrant color.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve Easma Kufta alongside a refreshing salad of mixed greens dressed with a simple vinaigrette for a complete and balanced meal.
- For a heartier meal, pair the kufta with warm, freshly baked pita bread and a dollop of creamy hummus for dipping.
- To add a touch of sweetness, serve the kufta with a side of tangy tzatziki sauce and grilled vegetables for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
Tips:
- For a leaner option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef in this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of ground cumin according to your personal taste preferences. Start with a smaller amount and add more if desired.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can puree the onion and garlic before adding them to the meat mixture.
- Make sure to use fresh cilantro for garnish to add brightness to the dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
Enjoy your flavorful journey with this aromatic Easma Kufta recipe! 🍽️✨
