Lebanese Kofta Bi Tahini

Today on the Takrecipe website, we’re bringing you a delicious and comforting Lebanese dish: Kofta Bi Tahini. This recipe features flavorful, juicy meatballs made from spiced ground meat, baked in a rich and creamy tahini sauce. It’s a perfect blend of earthy, nutty, and slightly tangy flavors that make it an irresistible dish. Whether served with fluffy rice or warm pita bread, this meal is a staple in Lebanese households and a must-try for lovers of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• For the Kofta Meatballs:
• 500g ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• For the Tahini Sauce:
• ½ cup tahini
• ½ cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• For Garnishing:
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Prepare the Kofta Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, salt, black pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix everything well using your hands until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. The mixture should be slightly sticky but firm. Shape the meat mixture into small oval-shaped meatballs, about the size of a walnut. Heat a little olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Lightly sear the meatballs on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Transfer the browned kofta meatballs to a baking dish.

Make the Tahini Sauce

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini, warm water, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed—it should be pourable but not too thin. Pour the tahini sauce evenly over the kofta meatballs in the baking dish.

Bake the Dish

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the kofta meatballs are fully cooked. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh parsley over the dish for extra flavor and texture. Serve warm with white rice or pita bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Tips:

Use Fresh Tahini:

🟢The quality of tahini makes a big difference in the flavor. Always use fresh, high-quality tahini for a smooth and rich sauce.

Don’t Overwork the Meat:

🟢Overmixing the meat mixture can make the kofta dense and tough. Mix just until combined for tender meatballs.

Adjust the Sauce Consistency:

🟢If the tahini sauce thickens too much while baking, you can stir in a little warm water before serving to loosen it up.

Other Lebanese foods:

• Lebanese Mujadara
• Lebanese Batata Harra
• Falafel recipe
• Baba ganoush