Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe

Introduction

Tahini Kofta is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring seasoned ground meat logs baked with tender potatoes and topped with a creamy tahini sauce. This tray bake is both comforting and impressive, perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests.

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

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Shape the meat mixture into oval logs and arrange them in the baking dish.
4. Step 4: Toss the sliced potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potatoes around and partially over the kofta in the dish.
5. Step 5: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: While baking, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt until smooth. Add more water if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
7. Step 7: Remove the foil and pour the tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes.
8. Step 8: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
9. Step 9: Serve hot with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.

Tips & Variations

• To add extra flavor, soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for 15 minutes before tossing with oil to remove some starch and help them crisp up better.
• Use lamb for a richer, traditional taste or combine beef and lamb for a balanced flavor.
• Garnish with toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of sumac for added texture and tang.
• If tahini sauce is too thick, add water gradually to avoid thinning it too much.

Storage

Store leftover kofta and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the potatoes tender and avoid drying out the meat. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the texture may be less crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses no wheat or gluten-containing ingredients. Just be sure any side dishes you serve are also gluten-free.

Can I prepare kofta in advance and freeze it?

Absolutely. Shape the kofta logs and freeze them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 95 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This mouthwatering Tahini Kofta recipe features spiced ground beef or lamb shaped into tender oval logs, baked with thinly sliced potatoes and topped with a creamy, tangy tahini sauce. A flavorful and comforting Middle Eastern-inspired meal perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure an easy cleanup.
2. Make the Kofta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
3. Shape Kofta and Arrange in Dish: Shape the mixture into oval logs and carefully place them in the prepared baking dish, leaving space for the potatoes.
4. Prepare the Potatoes: Toss the thinly sliced potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then arrange them around and partially over the kofta in the baking dish.
5. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the kofta and potatoes to cook through.
6. Make the Tahini Sauce: While baking, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the water to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
7. 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 an additional 15–20 minutes until golden, bubbling, and cooked through.
8. Serve: Serve the tahini kofta hot, alongside rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• You can substitute ground lamb with ground beef based on preference or availability.
• Adjust the amount of garlic in the tahini sauce to your taste for more or less pungency.
• Ensure potatoes are sliced thinly for even baking and to fully cook through within the baking time.
• Leftover kofta and potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For a gluten-free meal, serve without flatbread and enjoy with rice or salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: Tahini Kofta, Middle Eastern Kofta, Baked Kofta, Tahini Sauce, Ground Beef Recipe, Ground Lamb Recipe, Potato Kofta Bake