Kofta bi Tahini
Kofta bi Tahini is a classic Middle Eastern dish featuring spiced meatballs baked in a creamy, tangy tahini sauce. This comforting dish combines flavorful ground meat with a rich sauce made from tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, often served with fried potatoes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium Onion(finely grated)
- 2 tbsp Parsley(finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt(for kofta, plus more for sauce)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 120 ml Tahini paste
- 60 ml Lemon juice
- 120 ml Water(warm, plus more if needed)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Potatoes(sliced into thin rounds and fried or baked)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil(for searing kofta)
- 2 tbsp Pine nuts(toasted, for garnish (optional))
- 1 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, chopped parsley, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into small oblong kofta, about 2-3 inches long. You should have around 12-15 kofta.
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the kofta on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don't need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- 4
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini paste, lemon juice, warm water, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of salt until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until pourable.
- 5
Arrange the seared kofta in a single layer in a greased baking dish. Place the fried or baked potato slices over and around the kofta. Pour the tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes.
- 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the kofta are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 7
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot with rice or pita bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use ground lamb or a mix of beef and lamb.
- ✓If you don't have potatoes, you can omit them or use other root vegetables like sweet potatoes.
- ✓Ensure the tahini sauce is well-emulsified; if it separates during baking, a quick whisk can often fix it.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the tahini sauce for a touch of heat.
- Incorporate finely chopped tomatoes into the kofta mixture for added moisture and flavor.