Lamb Kofta with Mint and Garlic Yoghurt

Kofta is a Middle Eastern and South Asian meatball and is made with minced beef or lamb mixed with spices. The fillers are rice, bulgur, vegetables or eggs. The meat is often mixed with other ingredients such as rice, bulgur, vegetables, or eggs to form a smooth paste.

Ingredients make 30 balls

¼ cup bulgur (cracked wheat) (50g)

½ cup boiling water (125g)

1 egg (50g)

1 small finely chopped onion (125g)

2 tbls finely chopped fresh parsley

1 tbls finely chopped mint (10g)

1 tbls Moroccan seasoning

500g lamb mince

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

1 tbls olive oil

Mint and garlic yoghurt

2 tbls finely chopped spearmint

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp minced ginger

½ tsp sea salt

350 g plain Greek yoghurt

Method

Place bulgur in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow cooling for approx. 30 minutes. Add egg, onion, parsley, mint, seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix using hands until combined, add mince and blend until an even mixture is formed. Make meatballs the size of a walnut and cook in a frying pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Cook for approx. 7 minutes and turn over and cook finish. While the balls are cooking blend mint, garlic, ginger, salt and yoghurt in a bowl. Serve mint and garlic yoghurt with koftas and salad.

Note: Bulgur is available in health food stores or use cooked rice or breadcrumbs instead.