Lamb Kofta With Yogurt Sauce

Submitted by Leslie in Texas

"This was in today's (May 30, 2007) food section of the Houston Chronicle. I love Middle Eastern food and this sounds totally yummy! Thought I'd post it so I don't lose the newspaper clipping!"

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 23
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• olive oil flavored cooking spray
• 2 slices bread, lightly toasted (day-old crusty white bread)
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 1⁄2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, loosely packed
• 1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or finely minced)
• 1⁄2 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1 large egg
• 1⁄2 lb ground lamb
• 1⁄2 lb ground turkey
• 4 large round pita breads
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced

• Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek-style is good)
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely diced
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• salt & fresh ground pepper

directions

1. Yogurt Sauce.
2. In a small bowl, mix together all yogurt sauce ingredients, cover and chill while preparing the kofta. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
3. Kofta.
4. Place an oven rack in the center position of the oven.
5. Preheat oven to broil.
6. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
7. Place the bread in a food processor and pulse until it forms fine bread crumbs.
8. Add the onion, parsley,mint,garlic,cumin,cinnamon,chili powder,salt, black pepper,ginger and red curry paste and process until the mixture is finely chopped.
9. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
10. Mix the egg into the onion and herb mixture.
11. Add the lamb and turkey and use your hands to thoroughly mash everything together.
12. Shape mixture into 12 egg-sized balls, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
13. Lightly spray the kofta with olive oil.
14. Broil for 8 minutes, then use tongs to rotate each and broil an additional 7 minutes.
15. Rotate again, and broil for another 3 to 4 minutes.
16. Remove from oven, and let stand 5 minutes.
17. Wrap the pitas in foil, and place in oven for 1 to 2 minutes, just long enough to heat through.
18. Arrange 3 koftas down the center of each of each pita, then top with diced tomato and yogurt sauce.
19. Wrap the pita around the koftas and enjoy!