Lamb Koftas

Kofta are a great middle eastern and balkan dish normally made with lamb.  There are various versions across the region and I can't claim to any authenticity here, this is more from taste memory.  I've tried making Koftas around a skewer before and it is tricky to keep it on the stick if I'm honest.  I had an idea to make them into small patties and it worked.  The addition of bread as well made them lighter and softer.

This is a great starter or great in a wrap with salad, the yogurt dip and maybe a few chillis.


Lamb Koftas - Makes about 12

Ingredients

1/2 Red onion, grated
1 tsp Olive oil
1 Clove garlic, finely grated or chopped
Few grinds pepper
1/2 Hot fresh chilli
250g, 9oz Minced (ground) lamb
1/2 slice of bread made into crumbs
Pinch cinnamon
1/4 tsp Paprika

Dressing, to serve
1 tsp Chopped fresh mint
2 tbsp Thick yogurt
Large pinch salt

Method

Fry the onion in the oil until it has browned slightly and it is no longer "wet".  Add in the garlic for the last minute or so.  Put into a bowl.  Add the pepper, chilli, lamb, breadcrumbs, cinnamon and paprika and squish together with your hands.

Make into balls around the size of a walnut and squish slightly like a small burger.

Dry fry on a medium heat until well browned and cooked through.

Make the mint yogurt by mixing the ingredients together.  Serve with the dressing and salad or flat breads or as part of a Mezze.

Linked up to recipe of the week