Simple Kofta Burgers

May 30, 2014

Simple Kofta Burgers


Breaking News: The sky is blue, it’s warm outside, we’re wearing shorts (and flip-flops) and grilling season is officially on.
Two weeks ago it was still cold and miserable. Now it starting to look like it’s going to be summer after all.
Who knew?
Summer and barbecue have always gone together, well, like summer and barbecue.
And when you've got hot coals going, it is a natural instinct to grill up some burgers.
The two go hand in hand, just like summer and barbecue.
If we were to apply the transitive property of equality: if summer means barbecue and barbecue means burger ⇒ then summer means burgers.
In other words, burgers are summer. Let me rephrase that, burgers are the epitome of summer.
Another breaking news, people. As you may have noticed, today I’m all about pulling rabbits out of the hat.
Any-hoo...beef, buffalo, turkey, veggies, tofu or salmon, having a burger is never more satisfying than when you make it yourself.
So in the unlikely event that you haven't fired up your grill yet, these juicy, delicious and simple kofta burgers are the perfect motivation to do it.


Simple Kofta Burgers


Kofta is a Middle Eastern, Indian and Balkan traditional recipe for meatball/meatloaf. In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat - usually beef or lamb - mixed with spices and/or onions.
There are probably thousands (more like millions) recipes for kofta.
This is my personal take.
I’m not claiming these are 100% authentic, but they’re good.
The haunting scent of allspice and cayenne pepper balanced with bright lemon juice and the aroma of almonds, makes these koftas hard to resist.
If you want to bring variety to your barbecue than this is it.

Simple Kofta Burgers

Simple Kofta Burgers                                                                                         Print this recipe!

Note. I used 80/20 ground chuck, but because these kofta burgers are packed with flavor, you can use leaner meat.

Ingredients

Makes 4 large burgers (or 8 smaller ones)


1 lb / 453 gr grass-fed organic ground beef (I used 80/20 ground chuck)
3 tablespoons tomato paste (I used organic Bionaturae)
1 medium onion, minced
Zest of one lemon
Juice of ½ lemon
2 round teaspoons allspice
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ cup / 1.3 oz / 35 gr chopped blanched almonds
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
Ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large bowl mix all ingredients and knead until well combined.
Using your hands, form into flattened patties — they need to be firmly formed or they will break apart when you cook them.
Heat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high (if you’re using an outdoor grill generously oil the grill grates.) Place the koftas on the grill, taking care not to crowd them.
Cook for about 6 minutes on each side (try not to move them around too much though, or they will break apart.)
Serve them with a salad, or inside a bun with your favorite toppings!

Nutrition facts

One patty yields 325 calories, 24 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs and 21 grams of protein.

24 comments:

  1. Sounds delicious. And yes, love this time of year. Grill, grill and grill some more!

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  2. I like the burger equation you have going on here! Very scientific ;) These look fantastic, and I totally agree that when you make the burger yourself, it tastes a million times better. Hooray for grills!

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  3. The flavors in these burgers are simply amazing, Mike. Perfect for a summer BBQ. You nailed it again. Have an awesome weekend.

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  4. Looks great Mike, can't wait to try them!

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  5. Just found your blog today, subscribed right away, wanted to say hello... I am an exercise fanatic, although my single marathon completely ruined my left knee...years ago. Oh, well

    Enjoying your site, shall indulge in some serious browsing this weekend.

    Great burgers! Love the twist on a classic....

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    1. Thanks so much Sally and welcome!
      I had a similar knee injury two years when I completed my last IronMan, after a lot of focused work and patience I might be out of the bushes. So don't give up on hope...at least not yet!

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  6. Yes, the hot coal action is the best part of grilling... and summer! Love the way you did these burgers, Mike!

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    1. Hot coal action is where it's at Gloria, no doubt about it!

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  7. First shawarma chicken and now kofta burgers...Mike, your posts are speaking my language! :)
    Like your twist of combining allspice and tomato paste and lemon in these burgers!

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  8. This looks amazing, Mike. You never cease to amaze me with your creative recipes! Now we just need to work on your taste in sports teams...

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    1. There's nothing to work on, my taste is sports is perfect as it is...yours, instead, is questionable, to say the least... ;)

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  9. I am so excited for summer ---> bbq -----> burger season. You have no freaking idea. Loving these creative burgers dude!

    And oh snap... David is ranking on Alpha big time with his sports teams, huh? That's not very wolfpack like!

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    1. I know right? David is picking on me because I root for the NYGiants...that's pretty lame.
      I'm seriously thinking of sending him into exile in the wilderness for a month. That way he can clear his head... ;)

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    2. Alpha has spoken David. Pack your bags...

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  10. I pretty much live in the desert, so I have been enjoying grilling season for quite some time now, but I have yet to find the perfect burger recipe for the grill. This one looks amazing! I've never heard of kofta before, but I think I could get pretty used to it, fast! I love flavorful burgers and really like the seasonings you put into this one :)

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    1. You're one lucky girl Isadora, we had the most dreadful winter ever and it seemed like he was never going to end.
      Do try the kofta, I'm sure you're going to love it!

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  11. I'm deep in grilling season - bring on the burgers, especially when they look like this!

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  12. I made these for dinner tonight Mike and I've got to say they were to die for! I would never think of putting lemon or tomato paste in beef patties but these were divine!! I didn't have any allspice so I used cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves instead and added 1/2 a cup of chopped parsley. Yum!

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    1. That's awesome Laura, I'm glad you enjoyed the kofta burgers - they are indeed packed with flavor. And kudos for thinking on your feet and cominf up with a great sub for allspice!

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