Turkey Koftas Recipes

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.

TURKEY KOFTA KABOBS

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Combine ground turkey, onion, garlic, cilantro, egg, chile pepper, coriander, paprika, chili powder, and salt together in a large bowl; mix thoroughly.
• Divide turkey mixture into twelve 1/4-cup portions, roll into log-shaped ovals, and place on a baking sheet.
• Grill ovals over indirect heat on middle rack, turning occasionally, until no longer pink in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

TURKEY & COURGETTE KOFTAS

Steps:

• Soak 8 wooden skewers in cold water for 10 mins. In a bowl, combine the mince, garlic, cumin, lemon zest, courgettes, half the mint and parsley, and some seasoning. Using wet hands, divide the mixture into 8 and form into sausage shapes around the skewers. Chill for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the crème fraîche, yogurt, remaining mint, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some seasoning, then set aside. Toss the cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, remaining parsley and remaining lemon juice together in a bowl.
• Heat the grill and line the rack with foil. Toast the tortilla pieces for 3 mins on each side or until crisp. Brush the koftas with the oil and grill for 14-16 mins, turning until browned. Serve the koftas with the salad, minty dip and tortilla crisps.

BAKED KOFTA PITA SANDWICH, TURKISH STYLE (TUTORIAL)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the lamb, egg, bread crumbs, and garlic with the salt and the spices. With clean hands, kneed together until all is well-combined.
• Form the lamb mixture into small balls. Push lightly to flatten the meatballs into patties and arrange them about 1 inch apart on a large baking sheet. Do not crowd the kofta patties, use two baking sheets if necessary.
• Bake in the 425 degrees F heated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the kofta patties are well-browned and the center is fully done.
• While the kofta is baking, mix together a small equal amount of the spices (sumac, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika). Set aside for now. Prepare the Greek pita bread, Sabra hummus spreads, and the rest of the fixings. You can set everything up for a make-your-own-sandwich bar, if you like.
• When the kofta patties are fully baked, remove from the oven and sprinkle the spice mixture on top.
• To make the pita sandwiches, spread a generous amount of the sea salt & cracked pepper Sabra hummus spread (or the garlic herb Sabra hummus spread) on the Greek pita, then top with the baby arugula and parsley.
• From here, add as many baked kofta patties as you like (usually 3-4 per pita is a good amount), and your choice of fixings; tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and jalapeno peppers. Finish off with another squeeze of the Sabra hummus spread!
• Serve the baked kofta pita sandwiches in folded wraps or open-faced. Enjoy!