Arabian kofta

Kofta or Kufta is a simple dish, small balls of minced meat – usually lamb or mutton blended with fresh herbs, aromatic spices, garlic and/or onions. These meatballs are very popular in Middle Eastern countries like UAE, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, and there is no fixed recipe, each cook adds their favourite spices like chilli, cinnamon or cardamom. I highly recommend you to not omit fresh herbs; mint, coriander and parsley give kofta amazing freshness. Lamb meat is often used for kofta, but if you don’t eat lamb meat or it’s too fatty for you – you can easily substitute it with beef; in that case I suggest you to add a tablespoon of olive oil or butter for richness. And of course, the meat should be finely minced.

#10 Arabian meatballs

Kofta meatballs can be grilled, fried or even baked. Serve them with rice, fresh tomatoes and olives. I love to eat them wrapped in Arabic bread with a slice of roast eggplant, tomato and chopped fresh herbs, and dipping this lip-smacking wrap into hummus. 🙂

Arabian kofta

Servings: 28 small meatballs
Time: 30mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

Ingredients

500g finely ground lamb

100ml sparkling mineral water

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

3-4 Tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2-1 tsp harissa paste, optional

S&P to taste

2 Tbsp olive oil for frying

Garnish

Arabic bread, hummus, chopped iceberg and herbs

In a large bowl, mix meat with water. Add garlic, herbs, spices, season to taste and mix throughly with you hand.
Form small meatballs, the size of walnut.
Heat the frying pan with oil, add kofta meatballs and fry all over for 6-7 minutes or until cooked through.
Serve with bread, lettuce, herbs and hummus, if desired.

Enjoy!

56 Comments

Karinna says:

Looks so delicious!
February 27, 2015 at 16:01
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Gald to see you here, Karinna! 🙂 These meatballs are really good, if you like lamb meat.
  February 27, 2015 at 19:33
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  - Karinna says:
    
    Mmm, I sure do 🙂
    February 27, 2015 at 21:56
heycakes says:

Mmm looks delicious! And as always the photos are wonderful!
February 27, 2015 at 16:08
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks a lot! 🙂 Those meatballs taste sooooo good! I swear! 😀
  February 27, 2015 at 20:02
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Jhuls says:

Oh, wow!!! Very enticing – they are calling me and I just can’t say no. 😀 Thank you for sharing. 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 16:11
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- milkandbun says:
  
  You’are always welcome, Jhuls! Help yourself! 😉
  February 27, 2015 at 20:03
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Yana says:

That sounds (and looks) mouthwatering! 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 17:02
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you so much for your comment and attention, Yana! 🙂
  February 27, 2015 at 20:42
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The Novice Gardener says:

Wow! That looks so good!! Can I have it for breakfast? 😀
February 27, 2015 at 17:10
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Even though I’ve never had meatballs for breakfast 😀 why not! Of course – help yourself, Angie! Enjoy! 🙂
  February 27, 2015 at 20:45
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dragonflyhome says:

This meal looks delicious! I love the combination of the flavors and the bread!
February 27, 2015 at 19:56
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I think most of the dishes are only better with a fresh slice of bread! 😀
  February 27, 2015 at 20:47
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Fae's Twist & Tango says:

Beautifully present, super delectable Arabian koftas! I love lamb and this will be in my menu soon. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
February 27, 2015 at 22:47
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you for the kind comment, Fae! I do like kofta, too. 😀
  February 28, 2015 at 23:30
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Stephanie @ The Cozy Cook says:

WOW- your pictures are perfect, so colorful and tempting!! My husband would kill for some of this– I think I’ll have to make it for him next time he’s extra good, it will be my first time cooking with lamb and I’ve been wanting to try that for a while now, thank you for the inspiration!
February 28, 2015 at 00:11
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Of course you should try it, try to cook with new kind of meat, Stephanie 🙂 or you can make a mixture of beef and lamb, because lamb meat is a little bit fatty most of the time.
  Good luck in kofta-making! 🙂
  February 28, 2015 at 23:35
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Loretta says:

Wow, just wonderful, Arabian koftas eh!! Well I learn something new each Friday :). They look just delicious in that naan looking wrap – and a great presentation too 🙂
February 28, 2015 at 00:34
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- milkandbun says:
  
  That bread is like plain pita, but thinner. And you remind me that I haven’t eat naan for a long time; I love to it as is with karak chai! 😀
  February 28, 2015 at 23:37
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Ish says:

Growing up in India… Kofta was made with vegetables ( more likely left overs) and deliciously soaked in homemade sauce to be had with rotis…:)
February 28, 2015 at 01:08
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks for sharing your memories, Ish! 🙂 and what was the sauce- made from vegetables also or dairy?
  February 28, 2015 at 23:39
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Sarah 'n Spice says:

Yum! These look just wonderful!
February 28, 2015 at 02:59
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- milkandbun says:
  
  And those kofta-meatballs taste super, too! 🙂
  February 28, 2015 at 23:41
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Margot @ Gather and Graze says:

I love this style of food Mila – so very delicious… and healthy too!
February 28, 2015 at 03:18
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks, Margot! I make stewed meatballs pretty often, but this time decided to cook fried and they were so good! 😀
  February 28, 2015 at 23:43
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apuginthekitchen says:

I love Kofta or meatballs and love lamb. Looks delicious Mila, you presented it so beautifully.
February 28, 2015 at 05:53
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Very kind of you, Suzanne! I like lamb meat, too. One of my fav lamb dishes is roast leg of lamb, spice-rubbed.. 🙂
  February 28, 2015 at 23:27
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lapetitepaniere says:

Looks so inviting and mouth watering presentation, Mila 🙂
February 28, 2015 at 12:30
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I’m sure you know how tasty they are! Thank you! 🙂
  February 28, 2015 at 22:31
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carolinescookingblog says:

I love kofta, I haven’t made them in ages but have just been getting a little in to a middle-eastern kick so might have to have them again soon! Your recipe sounds a good one. Yum!
February 28, 2015 at 18:22
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you for visiting, Caroline! I think kofta more flavorful and tasty compare to regular meatballs. 🙂
  February 28, 2015 at 22:25
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Ginger says:

I absolutely love köfte – have been dreaming of making them for a while now … yours look absolutely stunning!
February 28, 2015 at 22:06
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Always glad to see/read your comments, Ginger! I had been dreaming, too, and then decided to prepare it. 😀
  February 28, 2015 at 22:27
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  - Ginger says:
    
    I’m making boreks tomorrow – I do miss Turkish food!
    February 28, 2015 at 22:30
  - milkandbun says:
    
    Mmm yum With cheese or something else?
    February 28, 2015 at 22:33
  - Ginger says:
    
    I’m going to experiment – courgettes, aubergines, peppers and cheese … I’m hungry already!
    February 28, 2015 at 22:51
  - milkandbun says:
    
    I’m a bit hungry too, so I decided to have a pretzel.. at night! 😀 it’s 11:20pm here..
    February 28, 2015 at 23:22
  - Ginger says:
    
    I know how you feel – just put two trays of pretzel bagels into the fridge overnight… will have to wait for breakfast lol
    February 28, 2015 at 23:48
Amanda | What's Cooking says:

I love kofta and yours look so beautiful! Every culture seems to have its own version of these and i love that you paired it with a starch. So colorful and inviting. These look amazing. Lamb and harissa are and amazing combo.
March 1, 2015 at 03:30
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Sometimes, when I cook beef meatballs they turned out not very juicy, so using lamb meat excludes this problem. 🙂 Thank you for the commenting, Amanda! and have a good weak ahead! 🙂
  March 2, 2015 at 20:23
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dianeskitchentable says:

That looks like a fantastic meal – I real love it wrapped in bread with the vegetables.
March 1, 2015 at 05:00
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  March 4, 2015 at 15:41
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Choc Chip Uru says:

Your kofta looks lovely, I wouldn’t mind it with some salad and hummus 😀

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
March 1, 2015 at 05:25
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Coffee and Crumpets says:

These are ghe reason why I could never be a vegetarian….love kebabs and locals too much. These look fab.
March 1, 2015 at 09:12
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I have a list of fav meat things, that I can’t give up and never be vegetarian, too! 😀 Thanks for dropping by!
  March 4, 2015 at 15:43
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Sadia Mohamed says:

I soooo love kofta! I am craving some now seeing your lovely pictures.
March 1, 2015 at 11:50
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- milkandbun says:
  
  I’m glad to see such comment from you! Have a great weekend ahead! 🙂
  March 4, 2015 at 15:44
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petra08 says:

I have never made kofta and you make it seem so easy! I love your pictures, truly delicious!
March 1, 2015 at 20:40
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Really glad to hear that the recipes was interesting to you, and of course you should give a try! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Petra! 🙂
  March 4, 2015 at 15:45
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Johanne Lamarche says:

If you love lamb look up Selma’s Table shoulder of lamb stuffed with harissa and anchovies. To die for! Just like your dish! mouthwatering and beautifully presented.
March 2, 2015 at 05:48
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Thanks for the comment, Johanne! 🙂 I make leg or shoulder of lamb also, rub it with different spices and roast, so I know it’s delicious. 😉
  March 2, 2015 at 20:27
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MyKabulKitchen says:

One of my favorite comfort-foods, check out my Kufta recipe, a bit different as I make sauce as well 🙂
March 28, 2015 at 01:24
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- milkandbun says:
  
  Will do!))) Thank you!
  March 28, 2015 at 12:08
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