Chef's Table

Turkish Lamb Köfte with Stout

This recipe for Turkish Lamb Köfte with Stout, uses culinary science, along with the unique palate of spiced found in and around Turkey.

Servings	Prep Time
3 -4 guests	15 minute

Cook Time

5minute

Servings	Prep Time
3 -4 guests	15 minute

Cook Time

5minute

Ingredients

Turkish Lamb Köfte with Stout Ingredients:

1/4cup onion, red,peeled and halved, finely grated
2each garlic, clovespeeled and grated on a Microplane Zester | Grater
2tablespoon parsley, Italian leafchopped fine
1tablespoon bread crumbspanko or almond flour | meal
1tablespoon tomato pastepreferbly organic
2teaspoon sumac, groundor freshly squeezed lemon juice
1teaspoon salt, kosher
1teaspoon cumintoasted and ground
1teaspoon chili, Urfaor allepo, crushed
1/2teaspoon paprika, smoked
2tablespoon beer, Stout,such as American Stout, Oatmeal Stout or Russian Imperial Stout
1pound lamb, ground

To Cook:

Instructions

Turkish Lamb Köfte with Stout Instructions:

Place a box grater in the center of a medium-sized bowl. Grate the red onion on the large grate side, until you have about 1/4 cup. Next, grate the garlic on a microplane (or finely mince with a knife). Add the chopped parsley, bread crumbs (or nut meal for a different texture/flavor), tomato paste, sumac, urfa chili, cumin, pepper, paprika and beer. Using a spatula, mix together well, allowing the ingredients to dissolve and infuse evenly into the meat.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the ground meat. Add the onion spice mixture and, using a paddle attachment, beat the ingredients together on medium speed for 2 – 3 minutes. This method is the trick to differentiating köfte from a standard meatball. When mixed thoroughly, the proteins become sticker, denaturing them, allowing the ground meat to stick to itself better and hold onto a skewer more easily.
Divide the meat mixture into six equal portions. Have a bowl of cold water nearby. Dip your hands in the water; this will help prevent the ground meat from sticking to your hands. Take a portion of the meat and gently mold it into a log shape. Skewer it down the center and place onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (this disposable layer keeps the sheet tray free of raw meat, leaving a clean surface for the grilled köfte after they’re cooked). Repeat with the remaining meat, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight to marry the flavors.

To Cook:

Grill: Preheat a gas grill set to medium-high heat for 15 minutes. With charcoal, make a good pile of coals that are red hot and lightly coated with white ash. Place the köfte skewers on a clean and lightly oiled grill grate and cook for 3 – 4 minutes a side. The internal temperature should be at least 155°F | 68°C.
Stove Top:Stove Top: Using a cast iron skillet or sauté pan placed over medium-high heat, add a few tablespoons of oil (olive or vegetable) and lay the köfte in the pan, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 4 minutes on the first side, flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 155°F | 68°C.

To Serve:

Serve as a sandwich or a wrap by spreading a teaspoon of Lebanese Garlic Sauce, a good scoop of Hoppy Tabbouleh, a köfte and a few spoonfuls of its accompanying sauce on a warm *pita, naan or lavash bread. Add some roasted or fried potato cubes, a sprinkle of thinly sliced red onion, chopped parsley and a few sesame seeds. Serve with hot sauce. Or as a main course, make a mound of Hoppy Tabbouleh on a plate, top it with the köfte, its sauce, slices of red onion and Tangerine IPA Yogurt Sauce or Pomegranate Rose Stout Yogurt Sauce. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Recipe Notes