What do you go back to when inspiration is lacking? And what recipes do you turn to when time is not on your side, but you don’t want to compromise on taste and nutrition?
We all have a handful of never-fail, safety-net recipes that we default to when we don’t have time or motivation to be creative or try new recipes, and that’s something I absolutely love.
I love the comfort of knowing that even on a crappy, busy, hectic day, when the least thing I could be bothered to do is come up with ideas on what to cook, I have a handful of loyal, simple recipes that I know will always work and are delicious. This Beef Kofta recipe is one of those trusted few, and not only is it delicious, it’s packed full of goodness and is so quick and easy to make that all you need is 15 minutes in the kitchen. Promise!
Kofta is a BIG deal in Egypt. Actually, it’s a rather big deal in many other Middle-Eastern countries, but I’ll just speak on behalf of my own hometown. Kofta is basically patties or balls (or any shape, really) made of minced meat such as beef mixed with spices and herbs. We have ENDLESS variations of kofta recipes that frequent every Egyptian kitchen and restaurant. There’s, grilled kofta, fried kofta, breaded kofta, kofta stews, stuffed kofta…you get the picture. In my opinion, the basic grilled beef kofta is probably the most popular and most commonly consumed of them all, and this is my simple recipe that I quickly throw together whenever I want something fool-proof, comforting, and guaranteed to satisfy.
The whole recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, and the result is these incredibly juicy, lightly spiced, charred beef fingers that are perfectly wrapped in a warm pita loaf with plenty of tahini sauce and a few fresh-sliced veggies’ pleasing even the pickiest of palates – especially the kiddos!
I love how easy the recipe is, how accessible and affordable the ingredients are, and how you don’t really need any planning to pull it off at a moment’s notice. I usually have most of these ingredients on hand, and when I don’t, they’re a breeze to find at any good supermarket.
Beef mince is probably one of the most used meats in my house, and I welcome any recipe that makes use of its versatility and flavour.…and honestly, nothing says laid-back comfort food like sitting down with a fat, warm kofta roll in your hands – no utensils required!
They are also one of my favourite things to serve a crowd for a casual barbecue, as they’re a massive crowd-pleaser.
Please do not feel deterred that you have to shape the kofta; I promise you even a small child can handle the task with ease. I’ve made a short video for you just to show you how simple the whole process is, I hope you enjoy it!
My name is Noha.
I’m passionate about food, an avid traveler, and I love to explore new cultures and cuisines whenever I get the chance by sharing my recipes and experiences with my readers.
A big fan of exploring different cuisines and always looking for new and exciting flavors to explore. I’m especially interested in healthy eating and finding ways to make delicious dishes without sacrificing nutrition.
