Tahini Kofta

Do you have meals that reminds you of a specific incident that happened in your childhood or teenage period? Well this Kofta with Tahini reminds of an early summer day, my youngest uncle ( which is older than me in only 6 years and also he is my best friend ) came on a visit, my grandma made him this Kofta cause it is one of his favorite meals and that’s when I first tried this amazing meal. My grandma made it with her delicious french fries ( honestly they are the best!) and that day I spend the whole afternoon with him and had a great time! 
Every time I eat this Kofta I remember this day. 
It is an easy recipe that doesn’t require much of preparation  and full of amazing aromas.

On Thursday, I hosted a home dinner for my friends. One of the main dishes was “Tahini Kofta”.

To my surprise, it was the “star dish” of our dinner. Everyone loved it. 
I like this dish so much. First, because it is super delicious « obviously ».
Second, it is easy to prepare.
Third and really the main reason, it is my tayta’s recipe and every time I eat it I remember her and my uncle !

Ingredients:

Servings : 4 persons

Prep time : 15 mins

Cooking time : 25 mins

• 350 g kofta meat *
• 1 cup Tahini (sesame paste)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 Tsp dried coriander
• 1 Tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tsp chili pepper
• 1 TBsp ketchup or tomato paste

Instructions:

1. Shape the kofta into small fingers and lay them in baking dish.
2. Add a drizzle of olive oil, cover it with foil and bake in a preheated oven 180 C for 15 mins.**
3. In a food processor add water. While mixer is working add the tahini and then lemon juice.
4. Add spices , garlic and ketchup and mix again
5. Pour the sauce over the baked kofta fingers
6. Bake for 10 mins in a preheated oven 180 C and then broil the top for 2 mins.
7. Serve it with french fries or rice and some fried pine nuts.

Notes:

*If you don’t have ready kofta meat you can simply mix in a food processor, minced meat with a bunch of parsley and a small onion, salt and pepper.

**If you are not serving the kofta immediately: you can bake the kofta fingers, prepare the sauce and bake it later on.