Bob's Kabobs

Most people think of chunks of meat on a skewer when they think of kabobs, but here I'm showing the other style of kabob, also known as kofta. Now that grilling season is upon us, this is definitely something you're going to work into the rotation. Serve with grilled pita bread and a blend of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions sprinkled with salt and olive oil, all topped with freshly chopped parsley and dried sumac.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 301 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• ¼ cup water, or as needed
• 1 pound ground lamb
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 8 bamboo skewers
• 1 teaspoon ground sumac (Optional)
• 2 teaspoons Aleppo chile flakes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine cumin, coriander, Aleppo chile flakes, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well to combine. Use your spoon to push off about 1/3 of the spice blend to the side.

Step 2

Place ground lamb in a mixing bowl and add 2/3 of the spice blend along with 2 tablespoons cold water. Mix with by hand until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 3

While meat is chilling, place bamboo skewers in water to soak for 1 hour.

Step 4

Remove meat from the refrigerator and roll into 8 equal-sized meatballs using slightly damp hands. Skewer each meatball through the center and shape into an oval, about 3 inches long. Use your fingers to taper each end of the kabob down to a point where it meets the skewer. Place on a plate and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes, or until ready to grill.

Step 5

Whisk Greek yogurt, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water together in a bowl until smooth and combined. Refrigerate until serving.

Step 6

Stir sumac into the remaining 1/3 spice blend. Remove kabobs from the refrigerator and sprinkle spices on top.

Step 7

Preheat an outdoor charcoal grill to medium-high heat.

Step 8

Grill kabobs over charcoal, turning occasionally, until browned and firm, 10 to 12 minutes total. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a kabob should read at least 135 degrees F (57 degrees C). Serve with yogurt sauce.