Lebanese Style Kafta with Grilled Pita Bread

By Bostoncook

Eating Well, Summer 2003

Ingredients

• 1 cup tzatziki
• 1 3/4 pounds lean beef
• 1 1/2 cups onion, minced
• 1 cup parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 8 whole wheat pita breads
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons mint, slivered

Preparation

Step 1

1. Make Tzatziki.

2. Combine beef or lamb with onion, herbs and spices. Knead 4-5 minutes to combine well. Will be moist.

3. Heat grill to medium high. Divide into 8 portions. Shape each into a cylinder. Thread lengthwise onto skewers, continue to squeeze the meat along the skewer into sausage shapes, about 7" long.

4. Brush with oil, oil grill rack. Grill kafta, turning after 5 minutes, until browned and just cooked through, 12-16 minutes.

5. Heat pitas on grill 30 seconds per side. Slip kafta off skewers and slice. Halve pitas, stuff with 1 tablespoon tzatziki, half a kafta, tomato, onion, and mint.


Excellent and easy!