Break Kitchen | Episode 5: Oven-Baked Meat Kofta with Vegetables

After kunafa in the previous episode, today we turn to a practical Arabic main course suitable for a family lunch: oven-baked meat kofta with vegetables. This Break Kitchen recipe, presented in our editorial style, uses readily available ingredients and simple steps, with the flavor of Arabic spices.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 35–40 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped and drained of excess water
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon mixed spices
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium potatoes, cut into thin slices
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup water or unsalted stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Mix the ground meat with the onion, parsley, spices, cumin, black pepper and salt until the ingredients are evenly distributed, without overworking the mixture.
3. Shape the kofta mixture into medium-sized fingers or patties of similar size to ensure even cooking.
4. Grease an oven dish with the olive oil, then arrange the potato and bell pepper slices, place the kofta among them, and add the tomato slices.
5. Mix the tomato paste with ½ cup of water or stock, then pour it around the ingredients.
6. Cover the dish with oven-safe paper and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover it and continue cooking for 10–15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the kofta is lightly browned.
7. For safety, use a food thermometer to check that the center of the ground-meat kofta has reached at least 71°C before serving.

Tips for Perfect Kofta

• Draining excess water from the onion helps the kofta hold together.
• Do not knead the meat for too long, as this can make the texture tough.
• Make the kofta pieces similar in size so they cook at the same time.
• If the potato slices are too thick, they may need more time; thin slices are better suited to this recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground beef can be replaced with ground lamb, while following the safe cooking temperature for ground meat. Zucchini or sliced onions can also be added to the dish. For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of hot pepper to taste.

Serving and Storage

Serve the kofta hot with white rice or Arabic bread, along with a green salad or cucumber yogurt. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator after cooling them promptly, and preferably do not leave perishable food at room temperature for long periods.

Allergies and Food Safety

The basic recipe contains no nuts, gluten or dairy products, but the ingredients in the stock and ready-made spice blends should be checked if there is a food allergy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking ground beef or lamb to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (about 71.1°C), measured with a food thermometer.

Food safety source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service – Guidelines for safe temperatures for ground meat.

Previous episode: Break Kitchen | Episode 4: Kunafa with Cream in Easy Home-Style Steps