MY LAMB KOFTA

Kofta or Kofte is the term used in Turkish cuisine for meatballs. Quite simply It is a ball shaped ground beef or lamb dish. In a basic kofte recipe, ground beef is combined with bread crumbs, nuts, onion, garlic and spices. Over the years people have changed how they are made. I learnt from my mother who made Greek Cypriot Kofte. The only changes are leaner meats than my mother used but she used to mince the meat herself. With only few ingredients, these lean Koftas couldn't be any easier to make and are 10 times better than the ones you buy in the supermarket pre-packed. Try making them with either Beef or chicken. They can be cooked over a grill or stove but have a better taste if cooked over an open fire.

INGREDIENTS:

1 red onion

1 Fresh Egg

2 slices of stale whole wheat bread

1 small bunch of parsley

1 small bunch of mint, leaves only

750g lamb shoulder, finely minced

50g toasted pine nuts, roughly chopped

1½ tsp ground cinnamon

1½ tsp ground allspice

½ tsp grated nutmeg

1½ tsp black pepper

1½ tsp Kosher salt

Light olive Oil, to grease

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make your bread crumbs by breaking up 2 slices of stale but not dried out whole wheat bread into a cloth and roll with a rolling pin and place into a mixing bowl.

Grate the red onion, and squeeze out most of the liquid through a sieve or cloth. Place in the bowl. Finely chop the parsley and mint, and also add to the bowl.

Add in the meat, egg, pine nuts, spices and salt and mix until all thoroughly combined. Shape into fingers, patties, meatballs or around soaked wooden skewers or better still if you have flat bladed skewers which are best as they transfer the heat to the centre, Now cover and chill for at least an hour, or up to 12 is best to allow the flavours to mingle.

Heat your frying pan, griddle or barbecue and lightly oil. Cook the Koftas until golden brown on all sides, and cooked through to your liking. It's good to use a thermometer if using pork or chicken, make sure its above 65 deg C Eat immediately in flatbreads with yoghurt or better still some homemade Tzatziki and some homemade Hummus on the side.

The pie factory has exploded. The blast was heard 3.146 miles away.