Looking for something a little different to grill? Try this quick Middle Eastern dish made with wholesome simple ingredients. Kofta are traditionally made with minced lamb and beef, but we usually use all lean grass-finished beef. THey can be made ahead several hours ahead, placed on parchment and left in refrigerator until bbq time. The aromatic spices only enhance in the beef. Alternatively can be placed straight on preheated grill. Serve with salad, pita and tzatziki or plain yogurt.

Ingredients:

1 onion, quartered

1.5 lb ground beef

2 cloves garlic

2 cups parsley leaves

Salt and pepper

½ tsp ground cardamom

½ tsp ground sumac

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 ½ tsp ground allspice

½ tsp cayenne pepper

½ tsp paprika (smoked if you can get it!)

Directions:

• Soak 10 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes

• Toss onion, garlic and parsley in food processor to chop fine

• Put lean ground beef in a bowl with all the spices, add the fine chopped parsley, onion and garlic

• If grilling immediately clean, oil and preheat your grill to medium

• Form palm sized balls around the skewers

• Kofta will need to grill about 3-4 minutes per side.

  Photo Credit: Amanda Cain