Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe
Introduction
This mouthwatering tahini kofta is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring spiced ground meat baked to tender perfection with crispy potatoes. Topped with a creamy tahini sauce, it makes for a satisfying and easy one-dish meal that impresses at any table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to season
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water (plus more if needed)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly blended. Shape the mixture into oval logs and place them in the baking dish.
- Step 3: Toss the thinly sliced potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potato slices around and over the kofta logs in the dish.
- Step 4: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to cook the kofta and soften the potatoes.
- Step 5: While baking, prepare the tahini sauce by whisking together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a small bowl. Add more water if needed to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Step 6: Remove the foil from the baking dish and evenly pour the tahini sauce over the kofta and potatoes.
- Step 7: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the sauce is golden and bubbling and the potatoes are tender.
- Step 8: Serve the tahini kofta hot, accompanied by rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
- For a lighter option, use ground turkey instead of beef or lamb.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the kofta mixture if you like a bit of heat.
- If fresh herbs aren’t available, dried parsley and cilantro can be used in reduced amounts.
- Serve with a side of pickled vegetables to add a tangy contrast.
- The tahini sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Storage
Store leftover tahini kofta covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The tahini sauce may thicken in the fridge, so stir in a little water to loosen it before reheating or serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you serve it with gluten-free sides like rice or gluten-free flatbread.
Can I freeze the kofta?
You can freeze cooked kofta and potatoes for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The tahini sauce is best made fresh after thawing.
PrintMouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe
This Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta recipe features flavorful ground beef or lamb koftas baked with tender, thinly sliced potatoes and topped with a luscious homemade tahini sauce. Perfectly spiced with cumin, coriander, and paprika, this dish offers a delightful Middle Eastern-inspired meal that’s easy to prepare in the oven and great for serving with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
For the Kofta:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Tray Bake:
- 2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to season
Tahini Sauce:
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water (plus more if needed)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Kofta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley and cilantro, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape Kofta: Form the seasoned meat mixture into oval-shaped logs and place them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Potatoes: Toss the thinly sliced peeled potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potato slices around and over the kofta in the baking dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This steams and softens the potatoes while cooking the kofta through.
- Make Tahini Sauce: While the kofta and potatoes bake, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a bowl. Add extra water as needed to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Add Sauce and Finish Baking: Remove the foil from the baking dish and pour the tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15–20 minutes or until the sauce is golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Serve the tahini kofta hot, accompanied by rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef or lamb.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs if fresh ones are unavailable, adjusting quantities accordingly.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the kofta mixture for a spicier flavor.
- If tahini sauce is too thick, thin it with additional water or lemon juice to your preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: Tahini Kofta, Middle Eastern kofta recipe, baked kofta, tahini sauce, ground beef kofta, lamb kofta, tray bake, easy kofta recipe
