Welcome to The Storied Recipe! My podcast guests share recipes they cherish for its significance to their life and culture. In the interview, we dive deep into their life and heritage. Listen here to Nazli's episode on the significance of Lamb Kofta to Persian culture.
Kofta is a beloved dish in Middle Eastern, Persian, Mediterranean, and South Asian cultures.
All Koftas - both the meatball and kebab variety - include minced meat, herbs, and spices.
But beyond that, the variety is significant. There are as many lamb kofta recipes as families in these cultures. The spices and herbs vary as well as the shape and cooking techniques.
Listen: Memories of Lamb Kofta in Iran
Nazli Bashi also discusses a wartime childhood, the beauty of the landscape in Iran, and ancient Persian culture.
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13 Popular Lamb Kofta Recipes Around the World
1. Nazli's Iranian Koofteh Tabrizi
These meatball style Kofta from Tabriz are famous the world over for their size, as well as their flavor. Nazli's authentic recipe includes lentils and rice and are cooked in a turmeric flavored tomato sauce.
2. Classic Egyptian Kofta Kebab Recipe from Arabic Food Tips
A classic, well-tested authentic Egyptiaan recipe including parsley, onion, garlic, and many Middle Eastern spices.
3. Greek Lamb Kofta - Giaourtlou Kebab from Kalofagas
This Greek Lamb Kofta Kebab Recipe bears some resemblance to a meatloaf recipe, because it includes two slices of stale bread in addition to spices like cumin, allspice, and Greek oregano. Put the Kebab in a flatbread, top with a buttery homemade tomato sauce, and a thick Greek yogurt sauce.
4. Lebanese Kafta from Maureen Abood
Key ingredients in Lebanese Kofta are onion, parsley, and the famous Lebanese 7 spice mix. This recipe includes instructions for the typical charcoal grilling plus grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
5. Iraqi Lamb Kebab from Chef Philip Juma
This recipe is very specific in the amount of lamb fat it calls for, and includes sumac, a popular deep red spice with a somewhat fruity flavor. The kebab is cooked on a charcoal grill.
6. Moroccan Kefta Kabob from Taste of Maroc
Kefta is so common it Morocco, butchers make it available to order already ground and mixed with spices. Critical ingredients for Moroccan Kefta are paprika, cumin, and onion. This recipe includes mint, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and Ras el Hanout along with fresh herbs.
7. Moroccan Kefta dyal Gharb from Khemisset
Khemisset is considered to be the Moroccan capital of Kefta. This high end and elevated recipe includes suet as well as mint, marjoram, and coriander.
Read the recipe: Kefta Dyal Gharb Recipe from Taste of Maroc
8. Syrian Lamb Koftas in Tahini Sauce from Kavey Eats
These koftas are made with parsley, coriander, allspice, and paprika. They're cooked twice after being smothered with a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, tahini, lemon, and pomegranate molasses.
9. Afghan Kofta Challow/Challou from Afghan Yummy Food
These are heavy on cilantro and are served over famous Afghani rice spiced with cumin and cardamom.
10. Turkish Grilled Kofta from Cooking Gorgeous
Juicy, grilled Koftas seasoned simply and served with potatoes and sauce.
11. Tunisian Kofta with Honey, Lemon, Ginger, and Spice from Middle Eastern Kitchen
Tunisian Kofta contains the most unique flavors on this list - a sweet and spicy mix you'll go back to again and again.
https://www.middleeastkitchen.com/meats/tunisiankofta.html
12. Jordanian Kofta Kabob from The Odehlicious
Allspice and cinnamon give a lift to these juicy koftas.
13. Pakistani Lamb Kofta from The Aziz Kitchen
The highly flavorful curry is as much a star of the show as the Kofta in this traditional Pakistani take on Kofta.
What to Serve with Lamb Kofta
Now that you've found your perfect Kofta recipe, round out your menu with lots of sauce and side options!!
Would love to hear from you!