Kofta Kebabs - K - Alphabet Challenge

K was a tough dish to decide on. I wanted to make my Czech bread dumplings (knedlicky) but since I've made that dish many times I wanted to try something new. I found this Mediterranean Kofta Kebab dish and was excited to try it. I don't typically use cinnamon, coriander, or nutmeg in my meat dishes but it added such an exotic earthy flavor I can't wait to use them again. 

I made some tzatziki sauce, tomato feta salad, and cous cous to serve with it. I also used some store bought pita bread and hummus. Feel free to mix/match your Mediterranean sides to make the dish what you love. 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground lamb
1/2 small onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
2 Tbsp chives
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all of the spices into a spice mix (cinnamon, oregano, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper). Set spice mix aside. 

2. In a large bowl add the ground lamb, grated onion, garlic, chives and spice mix. Gently combine using your hands until everything is mixed together. You don't want to over mix or the meat will get tough so be gentle. 

3. Take the ground meat and make into a "meat stick" on a foil lined sheet pan. This will be about 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. You're basically making a rectangle that we will skewer later. Cover the "meat sticks" with plastic wrap and allow them to sit in the fridge for 1 hour. While meat chills, take wooden skewers and soak them in water so they don't burn on the grill.

4. After an hour, gently skewer the meat sticks with the water soaked skewers. Try your best to put the skewers directly in the center, all the way through the rectangle long ways so the skewer doesn't fall out during cooking. 

5. Preheat a pan or grill to medium high heat. Cook the kebabs (meat skewers) about 2-3 minutes per side until it's browned, about 8-10 minutes total. Remove skewers from the heat to a plate and let them rest for 2-3 minutes. 

6. When all side dishes are ready you can add the skewers to the plate and serve! They are best served warm.