Tahini Kofta
Juicy spiced beef meatballs baked to perfection in a rich, creamy, and tangy sesame tahini sauce.
Ingredients
- •1 pound ground beef (450g)
- •1 small yellow onion, finely grated
- •1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 teaspoon ground allspice
- •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •1 tablespoon olive oil
- •1/2 cup tahini paste (120ml)
- •1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (120ml)
- •2 cloves garlic, minced (for the sauce)
- •3/4 cup water (180ml)
- •1/2 teaspoon salt (for the sauce)
- •2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- •1 small tomato, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, chopped parsley, minced garlic, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just incorporated.
- 3
Shape the meat mixture into small oval or round meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, and place them on a greased baking sheet.
- 4
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- 5
While the kofta bakes, prepare the tahini sauce by whisking together the tahini paste, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of water.
- 6
Transfer the baked meatballs into a shallow baking dish or cast-iron skillet.
- 7
Pour the creamy tahini sauce evenly over and around the meatballs.
- 8
Top the dish with sliced tomatoes and return it to the oven for another 12 to 15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and slightly golden around the edges.
- 9
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm with flatbread or rice.
💡 Chef tips
- Make-ahead tip: You can shape the raw meatballs a day in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop over low heat.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should feature tender, spiced meatballs swimming in a velvety, garlicky tahini sauce that is savory, bright with lemon, and fragrant with warm spices.