Beef Kofta with Tahini Sauce
 
 
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • For the Kofta
  • 1 pound ground sirloin or lean ground beef
  • ¼ cup soaked bulgur (soak bulgur in hot water for 30 minutes, drain well, measure ¼ cup)
  • ½ cup very finely minced onion
  • 1 medium garlic clove finely minced
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you want a spicy kofta)
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground sumac (optional)
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For the Tahini Sauce
  • 6 tablespoons well-stirred tahini
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • dash of cayenne pepper
  • ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon finely minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint
  • sumac or cayenne for topping (optional)
Preparation
  1. If using wooden skewers, soak 8 in water for 30 minutes.
  2. Mix all ingredients together for tahini sauce. If it is too thick add a bit of water to thin it out. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Combine all of the kofta ingredients in a large bowl. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
  4. Divide mixture in 8 equal portions. Shape each piece into a 5-inch sausage shape and flatten until 2-inches wide and about ½-inch thick. Press skewer into the center forming meat around the skewer. Pinch seams together and firmly reshape the meat to ensure it fits snugly on the skewer. Shape the meat so that it is flat rather than round. Using your thumb and index finger make indentations in the meat every inch from top to bottom. The ridges in the meat help it to cook evenly and quickly.
  5. When you are ready to grill the kofta, heat the gas grill to high. Grill the kofta suspended above the grates for 3 minutes, then turn over and continue to grill until cooked through. Check the kofta now and then when grilling to ensure they are not burning, turning as needed.
  6. Serve kofta with warm pita bread or saffron rice along with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, assorted olives, shredded lettuce, fresh mint and tahini sauce.
Recipe by My Lilikoi Kitchen at https://www.mylilikoikitchen.com/2018/03/27/beef-kofta-with-tahini-sauce/