Annie's Greek Lamb Kofta

This recipe is named after my friend, who was the first to try this recipe, and she loved it. These lamb koftas melt in your mouth and are sinfully flavourful and delicious. Wrapped in a soft homemade pita that is effortless to make—served with fresh tzatziki and salad. This is a perfect recipe for an excellent wholesome dinner.

Serves : 3

Ingredients

Lamb koftas

250g of minced lamb

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp all-purpose seasoning

1 Tbsp cumin powder

1 tsp of Moroccan seasoning

2 tsp paprika powder

1 tsp onion powder

Salt to taste

3 Tbsp pesto

½ cup oil

Tzatziki

2 cups Greek yyoghurt1 cup of grated cucumber

2 Tbsp of olive oil

1 Tbsp chopped mint

1 minced garlic clove

1 Tbsp lemon juice

½ tsp salt

Pita bread

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

½ teaspoon sugar

¼ cup whole-wheat flour

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salad

⅕ cup pomegranate

25g of salad

Containing rockets, spinach, red cabbage, beetroot and carrots

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1.5 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Feta cheese

Method

Step 1- Lamb Marination

In a bowl, add your minced lamb. With a fork, break it down into a smoother paste.

Step 2

Now add garlic powder, all-purpose seasoning, cumin powder, Moroccan seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt and pesto. Mix well.

Step 3

Keep in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 4 - Tzatziki

Meanwhile, take one small cucumber and grate it with the skin Chop one garlic clove.

Step 5

Add Greek yoghurt, lemon, grated cucumber, and garlic in a bowl and mix well. Drizzle olive oil. Keep aside.

Step 6 - Pita Bread Dough

Now in a bowl, add lukewarm water, yeast and sugar. Mix well and keep aside for 10 minutes or till the yeast is frothy.

Step 7

Once the solution is frothy, sift wheat flour and all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt. With a fork, mix all the ingredients.

Step 8

Once the flour is a little smooth, start kneading the dough for 7-10 minutes or till it's soft and smooth.

Then drizzle some olive oil and rest for 45 minutes.

Step 9 - Salad

Now in a separate bowl, add Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar. Mix well.

Step 10

Then add your pomegranates and a leafy salad. Mix well and keep aside.

Step 11 -Lamb Koftas

After 30 minutes, take the lamb mixture out of the refrigerator. Start making approximately 33-inch balls.

Step 12

Once the balls are ready, in a pan, take oil. Once the oil is hot, add 3 koftas at a time. Cook till they are golden brown.

Step 13 -Pita Bread

After 45 minutes, the dough should double in size. Deflate the dough. Sprinkle some flour on the countertop Transfer the dough to the countertop and knead the dough for 1-2 minutes.

Step 14

Then divide the dough into small balls of approximately 2 inches. With a rolling pin, flatten the balls evenly.

Step 15

Now place a pan on high heat; once hot, place your flattened pita and cook till it's slightly brown and fluffy.

Step 16 - Assembly

Take one pita bread, add 1 Tbsp of tzatziki, 1 Tbsp of the salad, one kofta and one smashed cube of feta cheese and serve.

Tips

1. You can also use beef, minced chicken and mutton for this recipe.

2. Refrigerating lamb ensures a solid structure and enhanced flavour. Please don't skip this step.

3. You can also coat your koftas in breadcrumbs for a cruncher outside.

4. Knead the dough till it's soft, as that ensures gluten formation. The more you knead, the softer will your pita bread.

5. Make sure that your oil is hot before frying your koftas.

6. You can also buy store-bought tzatziki and pita bread.