Kofta or Turkish Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce

 

Servings: 40 meatballs

2 lbs ground beef (0.5 kg = 1.10 lbs or 453 g = 1 lb)

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

2 onions, finely chopped or pureed (use a box grater)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp chili powder, optional

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/4 cup water

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp lemon juice

1. Using a box shredder, shred the onion. 

2. Transfer onion to a large bowl. Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs and garlic.

3. Add in the spices

4. In a small bowl, mix baking soda, water and lemon juice. Pour this into the ground beef mixture. Mix well with your hands.

5. Thoroughly mix, cover with plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight in the fridge.

4. Divide into meatballs, about 1-inch round

5. Cook on a grill or cast iron fry pan.

You can use different spices. Cumin, allspice and cilantro.

Yogurt sauce

1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced

1 cup plain yogurt

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp fresh chopped dill

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Or use parsley and mint