Lamb kofta with spicy tahini dip

Kofta are essentially meatballs that are flavoured with herbs and spices.  They are found in a wide area from the Mediterranean across the Middle East and into Asia.  These kofta originate in Greece and are served with a lovely spicy tahini dip.

Preparation Time: 25 Mins

Cooking Time: 35 Mins

Total Time: 1 Hr

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

500 gms          Mince  - lamb          

                     Olive oil    

2 cloves           Garlic  - crushed      

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

                     Salt          

1 bunch           Parsley  - chopped    

50 gms            Breadcrumbs  - fresh 

1 tsp               Cumin  - ground      

50 gms            Yoghurt  - Greek      

2 tsp               Coriander  - ground  

2 tbs               Coriander  - fresh - chopped    

2 tbs               Mint  - chopped       

For the spicy tahini dip

200 gms          Yoghurt  - Greek      

3 tbs               Tahini       

¼ tsp             Chilli powder  - hot   

2                    Lemons  - juice of     

1 tsp               Salt          

For the tahini

70 ml              Sesame seeds         

½ tbs             Olive oil    

                     Salt          

To serve

                     Lettuce     

Method

Pre-heat an oven to 160°C.

To make the kofta…

Mix all the ingredients together and form into 16 balls.  Then shape them into ovals.

Arrange them on a lightly-oiled baking tray and cook them in the oven for 30 minutes, turning them once after 20 minutes.

In the meantime, make the spicy tahini dip…

First, make the tahini…

This will make more than is required for this recipe.  What is not used can be stored in a jar in a fridge.

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring them frequently with a wooden spoon until the seeds are lightly coloured (not brown) and fragrant - about 5 minutes.  Transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a plate and let them cool.

When cold, grind the seeds to paste either in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.  Put the sesame paste in a food processor and add the oil and salt.  Blend until smooth.

To make the spicy tahini dip…

Beat all the ingredients together, adding 3-6 tbs of water to make a more liquid sauce as preferred.

This spicy dip, which comes from Greece, is excellent with kofta and other grilled meats – particularly lamb.

To serve…

Serve the kofta with the lettuce leaves and the dip.

Wine recommendations

A robust red wine.

Conventional

     Côtes du Rhône

Interesting

     Corbières

     Côtes du Luberon

     Fitou

     Lirac

     Madiran