**Discover the Enchanting Flavors of Kofta in Tomato Sauce: A Culinary Journey to North African Delights**
Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant and aromatic world of North African cuisine with our diverse collection of kofta recipes in tomato sauce. These succulent meatballs, crafted with a blend of minced meat, herbs, and spices, are lovingly simmered in a rich tomato sauce, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. From the classic Algerian kofta mkaoura, known for its crispy exterior and tender interior, to the hearty Tunisian kofta bil tomato, featuring tender meatballs nestled in a flavorful tomato sauce, each recipe offers a unique interpretation of this beloved dish. Prepare to be captivated by the bold and vibrant flavors as you explore the culinary treasures of North Africa.
FISH KOFTAS IN TOMATO AND CARDAMOM SAUCE
On first inspection, this dish looks like herb-flecked meatballs in tomato sauce, but the sauce is spiced, tangy and aromatic, and the meatballs are, well, fish balls, made of a combination of mackerel and sardines. We use tinned sardines here, for ease, but you can obviously substitute with fresh sardines, scaled and boned. You'll also want to pay attention to the total weight or volume of the mackerel: Some types are larger than others. All work here, but you may not need to buy as many fillets. Serve with some couscous or rice and a spoonful of yogurt, if you like.
Provided by Yotam Ottolenghi
Categories dinner, meatballs, seafood, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Start with the sauce: In a large sauté pan (choose one that has a lid), heat olive oil, garlic, half the sliced chile pepper and a good pinch of salt over medium-low heat. Gently fry for 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until garlic is soft and golden. Remove 2 tablespoons of the oil (with some of the chile and garlic) and set aside.
- Add celery, shallot and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to the same pan and continue to cook for 8 minutes, stirring often, until soft and translucent. Increase the heat to medium, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, cumin, lime zest and juice and the cardamom and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine, 1 1/2 cups/350 milliliters water and 1/4 teaspoon salt and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, turning the heat down if the sauce bubbles too much, and stirring once in a while.
- While the sauce is simmering, make the fish koftas: Add fish, pistachios, herbs, lime zest, chile and egg to a bowl with 3 tablespoons potato flour and 1/8 teaspoon salt and mix together well. Grease your hands with a little oil and roll the mix into approximately 12 golf-sized balls (about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 ounces/45 to 50 grams each), applying pressure to compact them as you go. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons/25 grams flour to a plate and roll each ball in the flour so they are coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the fish balls and cook for about 5 minutes, turning throughout until all sides are golden-brown and crisp. (Remove the sauce from the heat and set aside if it finishes before you finish the koftas.)
- After the sauce has been cooking for 20 minutes, transfer the balls into the sauce, drizzling over some of the frying oil (or return the sauce to medium heat). Cover the pan with the lid and cook for 4 minutes, until hot.
- Remove the lid and scatter the herbs and the remaining fresh chile over the top, then drizzle with the reserved garlic and chile oil. Serve hot, with lime juice added to taste, or with lime wedges alongside.
KOFTA WITH FETA CHEESE SAUCE
Provided by Justin Warner, Food Network Star Season 8 Winner
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- For the kofta: Add the frozen lamb shoulder and breast cubes to a food processor and pulse until a ground meat mixture is formed. Alternately, use a meat grinder. Place the ground lamb in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with the chili powder, cumin, sumac, salt and pepper. Using wet hands, form into 8 oval patties.
- Add the oil to a Dutch oven fitted with a deep-frying thermometer and bring the temperature of the oil up to 375 degrees F. Place a rack in a sheet pan. Place the patties in the hot oil in batches and fry until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on the rack.
- For the sauce: Combine the sodium citrate with 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve. Place over medium heat along with the milk and feta. Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and blend into a sauce using an immersion blender.
- To serve: Place a kofta patty inside half of a pita and top with cucumber slices, a drizzle of some feta sauce and some dill. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 7 more.
SLOW-COOKER KOFTE IN TOMATO-LIME BROTH
While you're at the beach, at work or doing anything at all, these bright, light, brothy meatballs can be stewing in the slow cooker. They are made in the style of kofte (from the Persian word meaning "grind"), in which ground meat is combined with lots of herbs and ground spices. Yogurt adds moisture and tang, but you don't need another binder or to brown the meat first. As the meatballs slowly cook, their juices mingle with the tomatoes to create a rich but tart broth. Eat with grains (bulgur wheat, farro, rice), couscous, noodles or pita. For a stovetop version, see the Tip.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories dinner, meatballs, main course
Time 4h10m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Use a vegetable peeler to peel the rind off the lime in wide strips. Add the rind to a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, along with the garlic and ¼ cup water. (Reserve the lime.)
- In a large bowl, stir together the herbs, yogurt, turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Add the meat and use your hands to combine. Form the meat into 8 balls (roughly 4½ ounces each) and add to the slow cooker in a single layer. If they don't fit in one layer, add a few tomatoes to buffer the meatballs from one another, then add another layer of meatballs. Add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then cover and cook on low until the meatballs are cooked through, 3 to 4 hours.
- Transfer the meatballs to plates, then remove and discard the garlic and lime peel. Burst most of the tomatoes by smashing them on the side of the slow cooker with a spoon. Squeeze the reserved lime into the slow cooker, then season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar. (The sugar helps compensate for too-tart tomatoes.) Spoon the tomatoes and broth on top of the meatballs, along with more fresh herbs.
MALAI KOFTA
Learn how to make malai kofta! This popular Indian recipe consists of delicious potato and cheese balls in a velvety tomato-based curry sauce. The air fryer lightens up the traditionally deep-fried dumplings, while the pressure cooker makes putting together the curry sauce effortless. -Soniya Saluja, The Belly Rules the Mind
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 20 kofta (4 cups gravy).
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Mash potatoes; cool to room temperature., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a large bowl, stir together potatoes, paneer, cardamom and salt until combined. Spoon 2 tablespoons of potato mixture in lightly greased hands and flatten to 1/8-in. thick. Press a raisin and cashew in the center; bring sides up to enclose. Gently roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining potato mixture. Spritz fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches if needed, place balls in a single layer in basket lined with parchment. Cook until golden brown, 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, for the gravy, in a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker, combine tomatoes, yogurt, water, cashews, ginger garlic paste and 1 teaspoon red chili powder. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes. Quick-release pressure. Puree mixture using an immersion blender until smooth. Strain mixture, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Wipe insert clean., Select saute setting and adjust for medium heat; add ghee. When ghee is hot, add garam masala and remaining 1 teaspoon red chili powder; cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in strained tomato mixture and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, until mixture is slightly thickened, 5-8 minutes. Add fenugreek and, if desired, cream; cook 1 minute. Pour mixture over kofta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 386mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
Tips:
- Choose high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Use ripe tomatoes, lean ground beef, and aromatic herbs.
- Don't overcook the meatballs: Overcooked meatballs will be tough and dry. Cook them just until they are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce: A good tomato sauce is the key to a great kofta dish. You can either make your own or use a store-bought sauce. If you are using a store-bought sauce, be sure to choose one that is flavorful and has a good consistency.
- Season the meatballs well: Be sure to season the meatballs well with salt, pepper, and other spices. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Serve the kofta with your favorite sides: Kofta can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, pasta, or vegetables. Choose sides that you think will complement the dish well.
Conclusion:
Kofta la sauce tomate is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great dish to serve for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. With a few simple tips, you can make a kofta dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a new recipe to try, give kofta la sauce tomate a try.
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