It is a Greek lamb kofta kebab made utilizing a particular spice mix recipe given to me by the proprietor of Kalimera Souvlaki Artwork, a very fashionable Greek gyros store in Melbourne, Australia. It’s easy, however distinctive and actually, actually good!
Greek Kofta Kebabs
Right this moment’s recipe is the results of searching for one thing a little bit completely different to make with a packet of lamb mince. And wow, it’s good! It isn’t a strictly genuine model of Greek kofta kebabs, nevertheless it comes from a really properly revered Greek supply. Particularly, a gyros store in Melbourne known as Kalimera Souvlaki Artwork primarily based within the coronary heart of the Greek neighborhood in Oakleigh.
To chop a protracted story quick, I used to be doing a narrative on Kalimera for Good Meals and managed to persuade the proprietor, Thomas Deliopoulos, into sharing this gyros marinade recipe with me. He’s Greek, in case you didn’t guess (😅) and he’s a chef by background.
I didn’t realise it on the time, however Kalimera has a cult following, with the likes of Ben Shewry (certainly one of Australia’s most revered high quality eating cooks) and New York Instances’ Sam Sifton raving about it.
It additionally has me raving, and in the future I’ll share his gyros recipe right here on my web site too. Till then, yow will discover it on Good Meals right here and as we speak we’re utilizing the the Kalimera secret gryos spice combine to make outrageously scrumptious lamb kofta kebabs!
Substances in Greek Kofta Kebabs
Right here’s what it’s essential to make these Greek Kofta Kebabs.
For the kofta kebabs
As famous above, the spice combine used for the Koftas is predicated on the hen gyros recipe from Kalimera Souvlaki Artwork, tweaked to make it extra appropriate for lamb which has a stronger flavour than hen. It’s a particular mix with a mix of spices I by no means would have thought to make use of for a Greek flavoured dish. However wow, it’s one thing particular!
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Skewers – Get shortish ones that can match within the pan on the range. I take advantage of 18cm / 7″ ones. In the event you’re planning to prepare dinner these on the BBQ, a) I’m free to affix; and b) soak the skewers in water for half-hour earlier than utilizing (in order that they don’t burn).
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Lamb mince – The spice combine is designed to go with lamb which has a stronger flavour than different proteins. And lamb is on level for Greek meals! Nevertheless, I’ve tried it with beef too and it’s terrific. I believe it’s too robust for hen, turkey and pork.
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Garlic – 3 massive plump cloves. The Greek love garlic – and so do I!
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Dried oregano – The Greek additionally love dried oregano, so we’re utilizing quite a bit. 4 1/2 teaspoons, to be precise! The mixture of loads of dried oregano and garlic is a never-fail basic Greek mixture.
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Paprika and mustard powder – These add heat and earthy flavour. I simply use common paprika (candy paprika) although smoked paprika would even be beautiful, I believe.
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Curry powder – The key ingredient that provides layers of flavour and a beautiful heat color to the combination. We solely use 1 1/2 teaspoons, simply sufficient so as to add a touch of flavour however not sufficient to make it style like curry. I take advantage of gentle however be happy to make use of scorching if you need it spicy! Any common model of curry powder is ok, I take advantage of Keens or Clives of India (frequent grocery retailer manufacturers in Australia).
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Salt and pepper – For seasoning.
kalimera’s secret sauce
The proprietor of Kalimera didn’t reveal the precise recipe for his secret sauce. However he did speak by way of what was in it, so my brother and I got here up with a copycat ourselves. I’ve to say, I believe it’s fairly related! You’ll be rummaging round to seek out something to dip into it – veggie sticks, crackers, chips!
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Greek yogurt or Greek-style yogurt – Plain, unsweetened.
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Mayonnaise – preferable entire egg, which has a smoother flavour than non-whole-egg mayonnaise.
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Additional virgin olive oil – For a bit of additional richness and flavour.
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American yellow mustard – sure, the brilliant yellow American stuff! One other secret ingredient I by no means would have considered and would possibly look misplaced in a Greek sauce, however the presence of which is validated understanding that Kalimera makes use of it. 😃 Completely works right here for flavour and including heat color to the sauce.
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Spices – garlic powder, paprika (candy/common, not smoked or spicy) and salt
bready greek pita bread
And right here’s the pita bread I used to make these massive cosy overstuffed wraps you see on this put up:
Greek pita breads are thicker and breadier than flatbreads that are extra pliable so you may make wraps ie you wrap the bread completely across the filling. I’m utilizing a model known as Golden High Bakery (image above) which is in style with Greek meals outlets and eating places throughout Sydney. The packet is labelled “souvlaki bread” and is about 6mm/ 0.25″ thick. To not be confused with one other product they promote labelled as “pitta bread” which is a thinner flatbread that’s not as bready (~4mm / 1/6″ thick), although this this is able to be high quality to make use of too.
No matter you utilize, heat it up! It’s a lot nicer. Additionally for pita bread, it’s important so the bread doesn’t break once you fold it. I’ve popped instructions for reheating within the recipe card.
the vegtables
Right here’s what I used for the greens – tomato, lettuce and pink onion. Traditional choices provided at souvlaki outlets in Australia. Although truly, in Greece, it’s frequent to bypass recent veg and stuff with scorching chips as a substitute! Carb on carb perfection.😊 (However for the sake of constructing this a smart dinner possibility, I’m possibility for some greens as a substitute).
The way to make Greek Kofta Kebabs
You would skip the skewering to save lots of time. However for a little bit Greek spirit, it’s definitely worth the effort!
1. Sauce first
Make the sauce first, so the flavours have an opportunity to meld whilst you make the koftas. Simply combine the elements up then put aside on the counter.
2. MAKE THE Kofta kebabs
Good rule of thumb so that you don’t over work the meat and make your koftas robust – cease as soon as the spices are blended by way of the meat.
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Combine all of the kofta elements in a bowl utilizing your palms. Sure, you’ve gotta get in there and get your palms soiled, there’s no different manner! Simply combine till the spices are evenly dispersed all through. I take advantage of a type of scrunching movement with my palms, I discover that’s the best.
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The soiled palms in query, exhausting at work! 🙂
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Form – Portion into 8 then squeeze/roll into logs about 13cm/5″ lengthy. Thread onto skewers then flatten to 1.25cm / 0.5″ thick so you may have a pleasant floor space that may be cooked into a stunning golden crust extra simply than cylindrical logs. Additionally they prepare dinner sooner and extra evenly.
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Cook dinner – Warmth oil in a non stick pan over medium excessive warmth, or on a BBQ for a extra genuine expertise. Cook dinner half the koftas for two minutes on both sides, then simply 30 seconds on the skinny edges simply to get a little bit of color on them. Decrease the warmth if they’re browning too shortly. Due to the spices, they are going to prepare dinner up a wonderful deep golden brown color in case you management the warmth correctly. If not, they are going to burn!!
Take away cooked koftas onto a plate then prepare dinner the second batch. You gained’t want extra oil since you’ll get fats out of the lamb.
3. SERVING AND ASSEMBLING
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Serving – To serve, pile the koftas on a platter with the lettuce, tomato, onion, sauce and warmed breads on the facet. Let everyone assist themselves!
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Making kofta kebab wraps – That is how I make the wraps. There’s a really particular order! Firstly, unfold sauce down the center of the pita bread / flatbread. High with lettuce – the sauce will glue it in place. Then place 2 koftas on high (take away the skewers). Nicely, I’m grasping so I take advantage of 2. In the event you’re not, you need to use 1.
Place tomato on the facet, sprinkle with onion then dollop with extra sauce. Fold (or roll to surround, if utilizing flatbreads). Then chunk! It’s so satisfying. 🙂
I like meals which might be assemble-yourself conditions, so this one charges extremely in my books. Much less work for me! If I’ve greater than 8 folks over for a lunch or dinner, I can just about assure it is going to be a DIY association fairly than à la carte. Who has the time to plate up and serve 8 folks? Not me! Put your individual meal collectively! 😂
It’s additionally interesting that that is glorious cooked on the barbecue, making it superb for outside gatherings throughout hotter months. And the odor when these koftas are cooking is phenomenal!
Leftovers hold properly, so don’t be afraid to err on the facet of warning and scale up. Make bowls for lunch tomorrow, then Greek “tacos” for dinner the evening after. Or chop them into chunk measurement items, and toss into your morning omelette as I did. – Nagi x
PS In the event you’re after a standard Greek lamb mince kofta recipe, I counsel utilizing this one from the web site My Greek Dish which is a superb useful resource for genuine Greek recipes. The spicing consists of cinnamon so there are similarities to Center Japanese lamb koftas.
Watch learn how to make it
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Greek Kofta Kebabs
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook dinner: 10 minutes
Mains
Greek
Servings4
Faucet or hover to scale
Directions
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Sauce – Combine the elements in a bowl and put aside to let the flavours meld whilst you make the kofta kebabs.
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Kofta kebabs – Put all of the elements in a bowl and blend properly together with your palms till the spices are blended by way of. Divide into 8, form into 13cm/5″ logs. Thread onto skewers then flatten barely to about 1.25cm / 0.5″ thick (Be aware 5).
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Cook dinner – Warmth 1 tbsp oil in a big non stick pan over medium excessive warmth. Cook dinner half the koftas for two minutes on both sides till golden, then about 30 seconds on every quick edge (only for a little bit of color). Scale back the warmth in the event that they’re browning too quick. Switch to a serving plate, loosely cowl with foil to maintain heat. Cook dinner the remaining koftas. (Scrape out free burnt bits, if any. You shouldn’t want further oil.)
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Serve and assemble! Pile the lettuce, tomato and onion on the plate and put the sauce in a bowl. To assemble, take a heat pita bread and smear some sauce down the center. High with lettuce and 1 or 2 koftas (faraway from the skewers), tuck tomato down the facet and sprinkle with onion. Fold and EAT!
Recipe Notes:
2. Curry powder – See intro for clarification, it’s the key ingredient! Use any model curry powder even from common grocery shops. I take advantage of gentle however be happy to make use of scorching if you need it spicy!
3. Sauce – Copycat of Kalimera Souvlaki Artwork’s signature sauce! It’s used for his or her gyros and souvlaki in addition to a dip for warm chips. The proprietor was coy about offering the precise recipe however supplied clues for what was in it and I believe that is fairly shut. The color and flavour from the paprika and mustard are key right here!
4. Bread – Pictured pita is 18cm/7″ large, Golden High model which is broadly utilized by the Greek hospitality business right here in Sydney. Thick, bready pita bread must be warmed VERY properly in order that they don’t break when folded, and a sprinkle of water helps. Right here’s my technique: Moist paper towel on plate, brush/spray/sprinkle every pita bread flippantly with water (each side), stack, cowl with one other moist paper towel. Microwave 1 minute or till center pitas are scorching. Use scorching!
Simpler possibility – thinner flatbreads, pita pockets and so forth. Home made, retailer purchased (Lebanese bread is nice) and even tortillas.
5. Kofta form – Flattening barely fairly than making them cylindrical makes them a little bit simpler and sooner to prepare dinner, plus you get a bigger floor space that goes golden (= flavour!). Be aware that they are going to get fatter and shorter as they prepare dinner.
Leftover koftas will hold for 3 – 4 days within the fridge. Sauce will hold for every week at the very least, you mightn’t use all of it. Prep forward – Raw koftas could be formed and left within the fridge for a few days, and even frozen then thawed and cooked on demand.
Diet per serving, koftas, veg and sauce solely (energy in bread varies a lot relying on kind).
Diet Data:
Energy: 508cal (25%)Carbohydrates: 6g (2%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fats: 44g (68%)Saturated Fats: 15g (94%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 6gMonounsaturated Fats: 20gTrans Fats: 0.01gLdl cholesterol: 97mg (32%)Sodium: 726mg (32%)Potassium: 431mg (12%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 2g (2%)Vitamin A: 944IU (19%)Vitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 107mg (11%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
Extra issues to make with lamb mince
Lamb is a lot extra fascinating than beef mince! A lot extra flavourful. Listed here are a few of my favorite lamb mince recipes.
Lifetime of Dozer
No canine allowed on the sofa! Which implies – I spend numerous time on the ground with him. 😂
