Description
A delicious Middle Eastern-inspired baked dish featuring spiced ground beef kofta and tender potato slices, topped with a creamy tangy tahini sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, combining aromatic herbs and warm spices with a rich, nutty flavor from tahini.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Kofta:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Tray Bake:
- 2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to season
Tahini Sauce:
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water (plus more if needed)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Mix and shape kofta: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or lamb with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cilantro, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly, then shape the mixture into oval logs and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare potatoes: Toss thinly sliced potatoes in olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potato slices around and over the kofta logs in the dish to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
- Initial baking: Cover the baking dish with foil to retain moisture and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the kofta to cook through and potatoes to soften.
- Make tahini sauce: While baking, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust water quantity to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Add sauce and continue baking: Remove the foil from the dish and evenly pour the tahini sauce over the kofta and potatoes, then return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serving: Serve the tahini kofta hot, accompanied by rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb with ground beef based on preference.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more or less garlic and spices as desired.
- If tahini sauce is too thick, add a little more water for a smoother drizzle.
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor in kofta.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Tahini Kofta, Middle Eastern, Baked Kofta, Ground Meat Recipe, Tahini Sauce, Oven Baked Meatballs, Spiced Beef Kofta, Potato Tray Bake
