Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

I love ground meat. All kinds of ground meat. Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken, I love them all. Shepherd's Pie, meatballs, hamburgers, chili, sloppy joe's, meatloaf, tacos, lasagna; really, I can go on and on! I love the different ways to spice the meat and that it's an incredibly versatile ingredient.

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

During a recent trip to Istanbul, we tried many different Kofta Kabobs. Twice a day for 5 days and one day I tried three different kinds. It was research people, RESEARCH! I'm willing to eat for my craft. Kofta mixtures are as different as the people who make them. Some are more mild, while others have a heavy coriander flavor and yet others are incredibly spicy. I think that I've measured out a flavorful blend of spices that doesn't overpower the palate with any particular flavor and isn't too hot. Feel free to modify it to your personal taste!

Enjoy!

All ingredients mixed together in one bowl

Form flatish logs, about 4" long, around two pre-soaked wooden skewers
(so that the skewers don't burn on the grill)

Ready for the grill!

Preheated your grill
(I used an indoor cast iron grill that goes over two burners)

Serve with a tangy Greek yogurt dipping sauce!

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs
My favorite picture of the bunch ;)

Beef & Lamb Kofta Kabobs

Makes approximately 20 kabobs

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 pound ground lamb
1 small white onion, grated
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley (tightly packed), finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger)
freshly ground black pepper
kosher salt

40 wooden skewers, soaked in cold water for 20-30 minutes

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together.
2. Make small flat-ish logs, about 4" long, out of the mince meat mixture and wrap them tightly around two wooden skewers.
3. Preheat grill on medium/high. (Outdoor charcoal grills work best, but these kabobs were made on an indoor stovetop grill and were fabulous!) and cook kebabs, about 4 minutes on each side.

Eat, Drink & Be Yummy!