INGREDIENTS

  • 2 slices white bread, crust removed
  • 1/4 cup parsley , finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves , finely chopped (NOT dried)
  • 1 egg , lightly beaten
  • 1 small onion , minced
  • 1 large garlic clove , finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 6pita bread (I like Arabian Pita Bread)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Pulse the bread until you have finely ground breadcrumbs.
  2. In a large bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, mint, egg, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, sumac, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Mix in the ground lamb meat with your hands but DO NOT overmix!
  4. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. (If the lamb meat is well chilled, you can skip this step.).
  5. Shape the lamb meat mixture into 18 meatballs (koftes), about the size of a small egg.
  6. GRILLING: You will need 6 bamboo skewers. (Soak the skewers first in hot water for 15 minutes.) Arrange 3 kofte on each bamboo skewer. Grill over hot coals until meat is no longer pink in the center and kofte are brown on all sides.
  7. STOVE TOP: Heat up about 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or olive oil on medium-high heat and fry the kofte until no longer pink in the center, turning occasionally to brown evenly. Set aside to drain on paper towel lined platter.
  8. OVEN: Arrange the kofte onto parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.
  9. Serve hot with pita bread and yogurt dip.
  10. NOTE: The uncooked meat mixture freezes well.