What is kofta?
Kofta (or kefta), a dish whose name comes from Persian and Hindi-Urdu, is a mixture of ground beef and lamb blended with parsley, onion, and a unique Lebanese 7-spice blend, commonly used in many Middle Eastern recipes. The mixture is either shaped into oblong meatballs or formed into cylindrical shapes on flat skewers, known as kofta kebab, and then grilled over an open flame. You can enjoy the grilled kofta kebab on its own or as part of a Lebanese “mashawi” spread, which includes other popular grilled recipes like beef shish kabobs, shish tawook, and chicken shawarma. These dishes are as iconic in Lebanese cuisine as signature foods like authentic falafel and chicken shawarma. Traditionally, kofta kebabs are served on pita bread with homemade hummus. They also pair wonderfully with tabbouleh salad and grilled veggies like tomatoes and onions, which add a delicious charred flavor to the meal. Then, tread each portion onto your skewers and press firmly into a sausage-like shape. Keep them the same size so they cook evenly.
Place a meatball in the palm of your hand and squeeze it through the middle. Align the skewer in the middle of the squeezed meatball and close the meat around it. Gently move your hand along the skewer to smoothen the meat and shape it into an oblong form. Use your thumb and pointer finger (or thumb and middle finger if more convenient) and gently squeeze from top to bottom 5-6 times to shape the kofta.
The grilled kofta kebab is now ready to enjoy! You can also serve them with vegetarian arayes by spreading a mixture of red chili paste and tomato paste on one side of the pita bread, adding chopped parsley and onions, then covering it with the second side of the pita pocket. Grill the arayes until the bread is crispy.
