Mediterranean Diet Friendly Lamb Koftas with Fresh Mint

Total time1 hr 5 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time15 min

Mediterranean Diet Friendly Lamb Koftas with Fresh Mint

These koftas are built on ground lamb worked with garlic, grated onion, and a warm blend of turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon, then shaped around skewers and grilled or seared until deeply browned outside and juicy within. Fresh mint and parsley run through the meat itself, then reappear in a bright, garlicky mint sauce blended with olive oil and a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang. A squeeze of lemon at the table lifts the whole plate and plays beautifully against the richness of the lamb. It's a simple, herb-forward way to enjoy grilled meat with the kind of olive oil, fresh produce, and lean protein balance that a Mediterranean-style table is all about. Whether you cook these on the grill in summer or in a skillet any night of the week, they come together quickly and make a satisfying, well-rounded main.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the koftas

1 ½ lb ground lamb
Isernios Chicken Ground Chicken Tray Pack - 16 Oz Foster Farms® Fresh & Natural Cage Free Ground Chicken Breast Open Nature Ground Chicken - 16 oz Smart Chicken Organic Ground Chicken Mary's Organic 93% Lean Ground Chicken, 16 oz
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Chef's tip
Ground chicken is often leaner than ground lamb and can dry out more quickly. When browning it, add a little oil if needed and keep the pan juices unless the recipe says to drain them. Cook just until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ small yellow onion, grated
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil

For the mint sauce

1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
¼ cup fresh parsley
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp water

For serving

lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Make the mint sauce: combine the 1 cup mint leaves, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 tbsp olive oil, apple cider vinegar, 1 clove garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and water in a blender or small food processor. Blend until smooth and bright green, scraping down the sides once. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, minced garlic, grated onion, 2 tbsp chopped mint, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, and 1 tsp salt. Mix with your hands until the spices and aromatics are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

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