Lamb Kofta with Yogurt Sauce

Spiced ground lamb skewers — a Middle Eastern BBQ staple.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground lamb (or beef/lamb mix)
• 1 small onion, very finely grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp cayenne

Salt and black pepper

• Yogurt sauce: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cucumber grated and squeezed, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tbsp mint, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt
• Pita, tomato, red onion to serve

Directions

1. Mix lamb with all spices, herbs, grated onion, and salt. Knead 2-3 minutes — this develops protein strands that hold the skewer together.

Refrigerate 30 minutes to firm up.

1. Mold around flat metal skewers (or use a log shape on wooden skewers).
2. Grill over high heat 4-5 min per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
3. Make yogurt sauce. Serve kofta in pita with sauce, tomato, and onion.

Notes

Kneading the meat mixture is essential — it develops myosin proteins that bind the kofta to the skewer. Don’t skip the refrigeration step.