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Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe

4.9 from 120 reviews

This Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta recipe combines seasoned ground beef or lamb kofta with thinly sliced baked potatoes, all topped with a creamy, tangy tahini sauce. Baked to perfection, this harmonious dish offers a satisfying Middle Eastern-inspired meal that’s perfect served with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

Scale

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:

  • 23 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

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix and Shape Kofta: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb with grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly, then shape the mixture into oval logs and arrange them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  3. Prep Potatoes: Toss the thinly sliced potatoes in olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potato slices around and gently over the kofta logs in the baking dish.
  4. Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the kofta and potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
  5. Prepare Tahini Sauce: While baking, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt until smooth. Adjust the water quantity to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
  6. Add Sauce and Continue Baking: Remove the foil from the baking dish and pour the prepared tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes.
  7. Finish Baking Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
  8. Serve: Serve the tahini kofta hot, accompanied with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can use either ground beef or lamb according to your preference.
  • If desired, fresh herbs like mint can be added to the kofta mixture for extra flavor.
  • The tahini sauce thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less water.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the sauce may thicken and can be thinned with a little water when reheating.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the kofta mix.

Keywords: Tahini Kofta, baked kofta, Middle Eastern recipe, ground beef kofta, lamb kofta, tahini sauce, tray bake, oven-baked kofta