It finds its origins in the Middle East and there are as many different Keftas as there are people! The meats are seasoned with spices and fresh herbs, formed into sausage like patties and skewered. The Chermoula sauce that accompanies the dish is not optional!!!!!
You then grill the kebabs and serve with vegetables and couscous. You can also serve the Keftas in a pita bread, like a sandwich.
The basic prep for all Keftas is roughly the same, so don't hesitate to serve different varieties at once!
Veal Keftas
2 lbs ground veal
1 onion, chopped finely
1/3 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
1 Tbsp paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp "Ras-el-Hanout" **
Sal and pepper to taste
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. When well combined, form into small links, a bit larger than a sausage.
Run the skewer through the length of the patty. Grill on high heat leaving the lid open, and turning them regularly so they don't burn.
Served with the Chermoula sauce and your favorite sides!
Beef Keftas
3 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/3 finely chopped mint
1 finely chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp ground all spice
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. When well combined, form into small links, a bit larger than a sausage.
Run the skewer through the length of the patty. Grill on high heat leaving the lid open, and turning them regularly so they don't burn.
Served with the Chermoula sauce and your favorite sides!
Chermoula Sauce
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 cup finely chopped mint
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp paprika
1 cup olive oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper of Piment d'Espelette
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl, ending with the oil. Set aside until ready to use.
Notes:
The Keftas can be prepared and shaped ahead of time and kept refrigerated until grilling time. Great for company!
** a combination of spices that a store owner would make using the best spices he had in the shop. There is not a definite recipe for it, but some of the spices used are ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground coriander seeds, cayenne pepper, all spice, ground cloves.....
