Beef Kofta with Tzatziki

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 12 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

If you’re looking for a variation on the standard meatball, it’s time to consider kofta. It is essentially a spiced meatball with many versions that can trace their origin across the Eastern Mediterranean and Central and South Asia. Depending on the region, kofta can be made with any number of ground meats or seafood. This version of kofta takes a page from the Mediterranean preparation, where they’re traditionally made with lamb or beef and often served with flatbread and tzatziki.

Ingredients

1 medium English cucumber
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 to 3 medium lemons
1/2 clove garlic
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup fresh dill
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 (2-inch) piece of ginger, peeled
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1 pound ground beef (75% lean/25% fat)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 small pinch red pepper flakes
Vegetable oil, for oilig the grill
Naan or pita, for serving

Instructions

Peel and grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Place in a medium bowl, toss with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and let sit for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, finely zest the lemons on a Microplane until you have 1 tablespoon. Transfer to a medium bowl. Juice half of a lemon and add 1 tablespoon of the juice to the bowl. Grate the garlic on the fine holes of the box grater or Microplane and add to the bowl of lemon zest.
Finely chop the dill and and mint and add to the bowl of lemon zest. Add the yogurt, oil, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper and mix to combine.
Using your hands, squeeze the excess liquid out of the cucumber. (This is an important step, otherwise you will end up with watery tzatziki.) Add the cucumber to the yogurt mixture and mix to combine. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Make the kofta while the tzatziki is chilling.
Grate the onion on the large holes of a box grater and place 1/4 cup of it in a large bowl. Grate the ginger on a Microplane and place 1 tablespoon of it in the bowl. Grate the garlic on the Microplane and add it the bowl. Finely chop the parsley and mint and add to the bowl.
Add the ground beef, salt, and spices and mix quickly and gently with your hands to combine (do not overwork the meat or it will be tough). Form into 30 (2-inch balls) and place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Heat a grill pan lightly coated with vegetable oil on medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the grill pan will cool down, the meatballs won't brown properly, and they will stick and break. Grill, turning occasionally, until brown all over and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove to a serving platter.
To finish, lightly grill the pitas or naan in the grill pan for about a minute to toast and warm through. Top with kofta and some tzatziki.