Best Kefta Recipes

MOROCCAN MEATBALLS -- TAGINE KEFTA

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in the tagine, cover and let simmer gently over a medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, use your hands to mix the ingredients for the meatballs together and then roll the meat into small balls, about 1 inch round.
• After the tomatoes have simmered for about 15 minutes, stir the sauce and add a little water if you feel it is needed.
• Place the meatballs in the sauce.
• Do not stir but just let them sit on top of the sauce.
• Lower the heat, cover and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Uncover and let simmer another couple minutes if you feel the sauce needs thickening.
• Serve with lots of crusty bread for dipping in the sauce or over spaghetti with parmesan cheese on top.
• If you want to make these ahead of time and freeze them, leave the parsley out and place the meatballs in a rigid container like a tupperware dish before freezing.
• To reheat, thaw in the fridge (you can do this overnight) and reheat on the stovetop over medium-low until bubbly. Add chopped parsley before serving.

KEFTA TAJINE (MOROCCAN SPICED MEATBALLS W/ EGGS IN TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients, and roll mixture into mini meatballs 3/4"-1" in diameter; set aside.
• In a skillet or tajine combine sauce ingredients and let mixture simmer, covered, over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add meatballs, squash, and peas to the sauce and simmer, covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
• Pour the eggs in in a stream over everything.
• Cover and cook just long enough to cook the egg (about 3 minutes, depending on how well done you like your eggs).
• Serve warm over couscous, sprinkled with cumin or black pepper if desired.

KEFTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, mix together the parsley, onions, lamb, allspice, lemon zest, salt and butter until well blended. Use your hands for best results. Place in a baking dish, or pat into a 2 inch tall round on a baking sheet with sides. Arrange tomato slices on top.
• Bake uncovered for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until no longer pink and the internal temperature has reached at least 160 degrees F (72 degrees C). Serve with pita bread or rice.

MOROCCAN KEFTA KEBABS

Steps:

• Mix together all ingredients until blended.
• Chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• If using bamboo skewers, soak them for 35 minutes to an hour.
• Oil your hands, and divide meat into 24 portions.
• Take one portion and shape into an elongated patty like a torpedo and run a skewer through it.
• Set on waxed paper until time to cook.
• Repeat with remaining meat portions.
• Grill for 6 minutes until cooked through.

ALGERIAN KEFTA (MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• Combine the ground beef with half of the minced garlic and a tablespoon of chopped onion. Mix with your hands until fully incorporated. Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch oblong patties; you should have 12 to 14 meatballs.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties in batches until they are crispy on both sides and are no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Set the meatballs aside in a rimmed serving dish and repeat with the remaining patties.
• Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the remaining chopped onion. Add salt and pepper. Cook the onions in the drippings, stirring constantly, until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining half of the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in the roma tomatoes, dried parsley, ras el hanout, and water. Cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and serve.

LEBANESE LAMB KEFTA (LAMB KABOBS)

Steps:

• Combine onion, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, mint, salt, 7 spice blend and egg in a bowl. Add lamb and mix well.
• Divide the mixture into 8 portions. Shape each portion around a skewer, forming a log that is about 2 inched wide and 6 inches long. Slightly flatten it so that the center will cook well.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and grill skewers for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until cooked to desired doneness. Serve immediately with pita bread, hummus and tabuleh.
• *For the Lebanese 7 spice blend: mix equal parts of allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, fenugreek and ground dry ginger. Mix well and store in an air tight container.

KEFTA AND ZUCCHINI KEBABS

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Stir together yogurt, mint, garlic, and salt in a small bowl and chill.
• Prepare zucchini:
• Whisk together lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and oil in a large bowl and stir in zucchini slices. Marinate at room temperature while making meatballs.
• Make meatballs:
• Cover bread with water in a bowl and soak 10 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of bread to remove as much excess water as possible, then transfer to a bowl.
• Pulse onion and herbs in a food processor until finely chopped, then add to bread along with lamb, salt, spices, and pine nuts. Mix with your hands until well blended. Form lamb mixture into 36 balls (1 scant tablespoon each).
• Assemble and grill kebabs:
• Prepare grill for cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas; see cooks' note below). Thread 6 meatballs 1/4 inch apart onto each of 6 skewers. Thread zucchini lengthwise onto remaining 6 skewers (5 slices per skewer), so cut sides are on the grill, leaving 1/4 inch between slices. Grill zucchini and lamb on oiled grill rack, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Serve warm, with yogurt sauce.

MOROCCAN BEEF KEFTA ON SKEWERS WITH CHOPPED VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the beef, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, mint, marjoram, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Cover and let sit for one hour. Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for one hour.
• In a separate bowl combine cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, hot pepper, garlic, mint, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper tossing to combine. Cover and let marinate at room temperature until ready to serve.
• Preheat grill or broiler.
• Dip hands into a bowl of water. Shape and pack about a 1/3 cup of the meat mixture into 2 sausage-shapes on a soaked wooden skewer. Repeat procedure for remaining meat and skewers.
• Grill the keftas on both sides until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve hot with chopped salad.

MOROCCAN KEFTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl using your hands or a large spoon, combine the beef, onion and the juices, parsley, cilantro, mint, sweet paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper and cayenne.
• Take about 1/2 teaspoon of the kefta mixture, cook it (in a pan or in the microwave) and taste it to check the seasoning. Add more salt to the kefta mixture if necessary.
• Take about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the kefta mixture (slightly larger than a golf ball) and mold it onto a skewer to form a log. (If using a long skewer, form two logs on each.) Repeat until you've used all the kefta mixture. Place the skewers on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until cooked through, using a thin spatula to help turn if the kefta sticks. Serve immediately with bread and a side of vegetables or a salad.

KEFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Soak the cubed bread in water for 10 minutes; squeeze dry and pulse in a food processor with the walnuts, grated onion, paprika, cinnamon, mint, cumin, cayenne, salt and black pepper. Add the dill and parsley; pulse again until smooth.
• In a bowl, knead the paste and beef together. Form into 8 patties. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush the patties with the olive oil. Grill 5 minutes first side, flip and finish cooking about 4 more minutes, or until the patties are cooked but not dried out.

MOHAMMED'S TAGINE KEFTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a tagine. If you do not have a tagine you can also use a large covered frying pan or casserole pot.
• Put in the onion, garlic and parsley as well as the paprika, salt and pepper. Stir and cover, leaving to saute over a low heat while you prepare the meatballs.
• Add the cumin to the meat, which helps it stay together. Mix well and form into either meatballs or flat patties.
• After about five minutes you can add the tomatoes to the pot and continue to simmer.
• Stir and add a bit of cold water if necessary as the tomatoes cook down and develop into a nice sauce. This should take at least 10 minutes, don't rush it.
• When you have a good sauce, put the meat patties on top of the sauce and cover.
• If you want to add the hot pepper you can lay it on top at this point as well.
• Cover and let bubble away for another 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked, adding a bit of water if necessary.
• Once the meat is cooked crack the eggs on top and let cook for another couple minutes, covered, until the eggs are done.
• Serve hot with lots of bread to soak up the sauce.

BEEF KEFTA WITH MELON SLAW

Steps:

• Soak the bread in water for 10 minutes; squeeze dry and pulse in a food processor with the walnuts, grated onion, 1 teaspoon paprika, cinnamon, mint, cumin, cayenne, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1 tablespoon dill and the parsley; pulse until smooth.
• Knead the spice paste and beef in a bowl. Form into 8 egg-shaped pieces, then flatten into 1/2-inch-thick oval patties. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, soak the sliced red onion in ice water; drain.
• Toss the cantaloupe, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, onion slices and the remaining 1 tablespoon dill and 1/2 teaspoon paprika in a bowl.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high. Brush the patties with olive oil. Grill about 5 minutes; flip and continue grilling until cooked through but still moist, 4 more minutes. Serve with the melon slaw.

BEEF KEFTA PATTIES WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Combine beef, 1/4 cup parsley, cilantro and next 5 ingredients (through cinnamon) in a medium bowl. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2 inch thick patty. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness.
• Combine cucumber and vinegar in a medium bowl; toss well. Combine yogurt, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, juice, and pepper in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Arrange 1 patty and 1/2 cup cucumber mixture on each of 4 plates. Top each serving with about 2 tablespoons yogurt sauce. Serve each with 2 pita wedges.

SALMON KEFTA KEBABS

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-low heat.
• Chop the salmon meat by using a knife or a food processor, being careful not to pulverize the meat. Mix the salmon meat with cilantro, ginger, lemongrass, garlic and salt. Form little patties directly onto the skewers using your hands. Make sure the patties are firmly attached to the skewers before putting them onto the grill.
• Brush the grill with olive oil. Grill the skewers until salmon is just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the kebabs from the grill and serve immediately with plain yogurt or favorite yogurt dip.

KEFTA TAJINE WITH TOMATOES AND EGGS RECIPE

Steps:

• Form kefta into 1" balls and sauté in oil in a large skillet until well browned. Set aside. Add all other ingredients except eggs and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to a thick gravy. Add the meatballs to the sauce and continue to cook 10 to 15 minutes until heated through. Note: at this point you can load it all into a tajine and finish in the oven at 350 degrees, or over low heat on top of the stove. Break eggs into the sauce one by one. Cover and cook until eggs are poached. In the oven this will take about 10 minutes. Serve with the bread and stay in your zone!

MEATBALL-TOMATO-AND-EGG TAGINE - (KEFTA MKAOUARA)

Steps:

• 1. Combine the ground meat, grated onion, parsley, cilantro, cumin, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Wet your hands and form the mixture into 1-inch balls.
• 2. Heat the olive oil in a tagine, cazuela, or black iron skillet set over a flame tamer over medium heat. Sauté the meatballs in the oil until well browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the pan to a dish.
• 3. To the same pan add the chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and pepper. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to a thick gravy.
• 4. Add the meatballs back to sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Carefully, break the eggs into the sauce and poach them for 5 minutes, or until set. Serve at once, directly from the pan with chunks of dense, crusty bread.

TUNISIA: BEEF MEATBALLS (KEFTA DE BOEUF)

Steps:

• Directions Mix everything together, except the oil. Form into 10 meatballs. Heat oil in a skillet and brown the balls on all sides for about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve over rice or couscous or can be served as an appetizer.

KEFTA TAGINE (LAMB MEATBALL AND EGG TAGINE)

Steps:

• INSTRUCTIONS 1. Place lamb, 1 tbsp. cumin, 1 tbsp. paprika, and salt and pepper in a bowl, and mix until evenly combined. Form mixture into 12 balls, about 1 oz. each, and place on a plate; chill kefta until ready to use. 2. Heat butter and oil in a 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add remaining cumin and paprika, chile flakes, ginger, saffron, and bay leaf, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, and cook, stirring, until broken down and sauce is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Add kefta, and cook, covered, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Crack eggs over the top, and arrange olives around eggs; cover, and continue cooking until whites are cooked and yolks are slightly runny, about 8 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with parsley before serving.

KEFTA TAJINE WITH TOMATOES AND EGGS

Steps:

• Form kefta mixture into 1" balls and sauté in oil in a large skillet until well browned. Set aside. Add all other ingredients except eggs and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to a thick gravy. Add the meatballs to the sauce and continue to cook 10 to 15 minutes until heated through. Note: at this point you can load it all into a tajine and finish in the oven at 350 degrees, or over low heat on top of the stove. Break eggs into the sauce one by one. Cover and cook until eggs are poached. In the oven this will take about 10 minutes. Serve, using wedges of bread as your only utensils, and stay in your zone!

KEFTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl using your hands or a large spoon, combine the beef, onion and the juices, parsley, cilantro, mint, sweet paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper and cayenne.
• Take about 1/2 teaspoon of the kefta mixture, cook it (in a pan or in the microwave) and taste it to check the seasoning. Add more salt to the kefta mixture if necessary.
• Take about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the kefta mixture (slightly larger than a golf ball) and mold it onto a skewer to form a log. (If using a long skewer, form two logs on each.) Repeat until you've used all the kefta mixture. Place the skewers on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until cooked through, using a thin spatula to help turn if the kefta sticks. Serve immediately with bread and a side of vegetables or a salad.