Kafkas Koftas Recipes

KOFTA KEBABS

Steps:

• Mash the garlic into a paste with the salt using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef's knife on your cutting board. Mix the garlic into the lamb along with the onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, ginger, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well blended. Form the mixture into 28 balls. Form each ball around the tip of a skewer, flattening into a 2 inch oval; repeat with the remaining skewers. Place the kebabs onto a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until the lamb has cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 6 minutes for medium.

KOFTA KEBABS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear mixture to a coarse paste. Mix the paste and the remaining 1 tablespoon salt with the meat, onion, parsley, and spices.
• Line a pan with aluminum foil. Divide the meat mixture into 28 rough balls. Mold each piece around the pointed end of a skewer (if you use wooden ones, soak them in water for 15 minutes before threading them), making a 2-inch oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer. Lay the skewers on the pan, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat or prepare a grill. Brush the pan lightly with olive oil. Working in batches, grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until brown all over and just cooked through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tzatziki and flat bread.
• If you're using plain whole milk yogurt, line a small sieve with a coffee filter. Put the yogurt in it, set it over a bowl, and refrigerate 12 hours. Discard the expressed liquid and put yogurt in the bowl.
• Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into another bowl. Sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons salt and rub into the cucumber with your hands. Set aside 20 minutes, then squeeze the cucumbers to express as much liquid as possible.
• Smash the garlic, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Stir the cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and mint into the yogurt. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

KAFTA (BBQ)

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak in water.
• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion, parsley, cayenne, allspice, salt and pepper until evenly blended. Divide into 6 portions, and press around one end of the skewers to form a log shape approximately 1 inch thick and 6 inches long.
• Grill for 10 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until meat is no longer pink.

KAFKA'S KOFTAS

Steps:

• ~~~ FOR KOFTA ~~~ Mash all the boiled vegetables. Mix ginger paste, pepper, flour and salt in well.
• Make into small (1-inch diameter) kofta balls. You really don't have to take the time to form these... just drop by spoonfuls into approximate 1-inch balls.
• Heat oil on high.
• Reduce heat to medium and test out one kofta ball by frying until golden-to-dark brown, turning to brown the second side as well. You must be very gentle as these are quite fragile. If the kofta in the oil splatters too much, add a little more flour to the remaining kofta mixture and try again.
• Cook the remaining koftas in batches and drain on paper towels.
• ~~~ FOR GRAVY ~~~ Heat oil in pan.
• Fry bay leaves for 30 seconds.
• Add onion paste, ginger-garlic paste and green chilli paste. Fry the mixture till it becomes golden brown and starts separating from oil.
• Add the tomatoes and sauté for about 3 minutes.
• Add garam masala, red chilli powder, turmeric, ground coriander and salt to the mixture and heat for about 3-4 minutes on medium.
• Add enough water to the mixture to make a thick gravy.
• Bring the gravy to gentle boil, then reduce the heat and cover, allowing to cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Add half of the cream (2 tablespoons) and stir to blend with gravy.
• ~~~ TO FINISH ~~~ 5-10 minutes prior to serving, add kofta balls to gravy. Heat on medium to 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish with the remaining cream and finely chopped coriander leaves.

KOFTA: SPICED GROUND BEEF KEBAB RECIPE

Steps:

• Finely chop the onion and parsley. Time-saving Tip: Use a food processor.
• Add the ground beef to a large bowl and stir in the onions and parsley.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Form the beef mixture into small balls and place four or five balls onto a metal skewer.
• Shape the meat into a cigar shape on the skewer. Note: if you use wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes first to avoid them burning.
• Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.
• Bake the skewers for 45 minutes.
• Or if grilling, grill for 20 to 25 minutes or until done.
• Serve over a bed of white rice. Serving Suggestions: Kofta is often served on flatbread (without skewers) or pita bread . It is also common to see it served on a hot dog bun.

MALAI KOFTA

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Mash potatoes; cool to room temperature., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, paneer, cardamom and salt until combined. Spoon 2 tablespoons of potato mixture in lightly greased hands and flatten to 1/8-in. thick. Press a raisin and cashew in the center; bring sides up to enclose. Gently roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining potato mixture. Spritz fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches if needed, place balls in a single layer in basket lined with parchment. Cook until golden brown, 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, for the gravy, in a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker, combine tomatoes, yogurt, water, cashews, ginger garlic paste and 1 teaspoon red chili powder. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes. Quick-release pressure. Puree mixture using an immersion blender until smooth. Strain mixture, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Wipe insert clean., Select saute setting and adjust for medium heat; add ghee. When ghee is hot, add garam masala and remaining 1 teaspoon red chili powder; cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in strained tomato mixture and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until mixture is slightly thickened, 5-8 minutes. Add fenugreek and, if desired, cream; cook 1 minute. Pour mixture over kofta.

LAMB KOFTAS

Steps:

• Mix together all the ingredients until well blended. Divide into eight balls, then roll each ball on a board with a cupped hand to turn them into ovals. Thread onto four metal skewers and brush with oil.
• To cook on a griddle: heat the pan until you can feel a good heat rising and cook for 3-4 mins each side. Don't turn until they are well sealed or the meat will stick to the grill or pan.
• Season if you want, and set aside. Serve the koftas with yogurt and spiced flat breads.