BEEF KöFTE WITH TOMATO-BUTTER SAUCE AND YOGURT

Beef Köfte with Tomato-Butter Sauce and Yogurt image

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Categories Main Dish

Time 1h

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 23

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For the meat patties:
1 lb. lean ground meat, ground twice if possible
1 cup grated onion (1 medium)
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely minced
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. fresh thyme
½ tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground sumac
2 tsps. extra virgin olive oil
1 TBSP. milk
For the tomato sauce:
4 med. ripe tomatoes
1 TBSP. butter
3 med. cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
6 TBSP. beef broth
Yogurt & Garnish:
¾ cup Greek yogurt, lightly beaten, at room temp
1 sm. garlic clove, grated (optional)
4 --- Mediterranean-style pita bread (without pockets)
--- --- fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

Place the grated onion, parsley, all the seasonings, the olive oil and the milk in a medium bowl and thoroughly mix.
To the bowl with the onion mix, add the ground meat and knead thoroughly until very smooth.
Cover and refrigerate the bowl with the meat mixture for one to two hours so that it firms up and is easier to handle.
Make the tomato sauce: Remove the skins and the seeds of the tomatoes. Chop them and cook them in a medium skillet with the butter. Add the garlic, vinegar and sugar. Once they are slightly reduced, add the beef broth and mix to incorporate.
Make a "test" meat patty: Take a small spoonful of the meat mixture, flatten it into a tiny patty and cook in a skillet. Taste and adjust the seasoning of the meat mixture as needed.
Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs and flatten them slightly. Heat large, non-stick skillet under medium-high heat. Drizzle enough olive oil to the skillet to cover the bottom. Once the skillet is hot, place the meatballs in, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook them on both sides until nicely brown.
To serve: Toast some pita bread, cut it in wedges and place in individual warm plates. Spoon some warm tomato sauce over the pita, drizzle some room temperature yogurt sauce over the sauce, and arrange some meat patties on the bed of yogurt. Sprinkle with some parsley leaves and serve at once.