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–+ servings

Kafta Bil Laban/ Kafta and Yogurt Tray

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Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 5
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
#Middle Eastern
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Description

Levantine cuisine is well known for its delicious yogurt-based dishes, and Kafta Bil Laban (Kafta Yogurt Casserole) is a wonderful place to start if you’re new to cooking with yogurt. This comforting Middle Eastern casserole combines flavorful kafta with a creamy yogurt sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ingredients
 

For the Kafta

  • 1 kg 2 lb 4 oz minced lamb or beef, with 20% fat
  • 2 onions finely chopped
  • ½ cup parsley finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon 7-spice or allspice
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1½ teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for greasing the baking dish before spreading the kafta

For the Yogurt Sauce

  • 4 cups 1 kg plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 1 egg or 1 tablespoon cornstarch diluted in ¼ cup water
  • Salt to taste

For Garnish

  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil for toasting the pine nuts

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the raw kafta/kofta: In a bowl, combine the finely chopped parsley, chopped onions, and minced meat. Season with seven-spice, black pepper, and salt. Using your hands, mix everything together until well combined and the mixture is homogeneous.
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  • Spread and bake the kafta: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Spread the kafta evenly and press it into a ½-inch-thick layer, covering the bottom of the dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F for about 12 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and is slightly browned.
  • Cook the yogurt: While the kafta is in the oven, you have just enough time to prepare and cook the yogurt. In a saucepan, combine the yogurt, tahini, pomegranate molasses, salt, and egg. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens slightly.
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  • Bake the kafta and add the thickened yogurt: Pour the cooked yogurt evenly over the baked kafta, then bake for 20 minutes.
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  • Toast the pine nuts: Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a skillet, then sauté the pine nuts until golden brown.
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  • Serving: When the sauce starts bubbling, remove from the oven, sprinkle with pine nuts, and serve warm with Lebanese or Arabic bread.
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Video

Keyword #home-style cooking, #yogurt, comfort food, kafta
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