Kofta is the Arabian version of Turkish kebobs. They are likely a culinary inheritance from the Ottoman empire when it ruled the Arab Levant for four centuries. It’s a great one-dish bake for weekend dinners, and makes great leftovers too.

Maldoom Kofta
Ingredients
For Meat Kofta
- 1 lb Ground lamb (or half beef or all beef)
- 2 tsp Arabian Baharat
- ¼ cup Mint Fresh - finely chopped
- 1 small bunch Italian Parsley finely chopped
- 1 small Onion finely chopped
- 1 clove Garlic grated
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
For Maldoom vegetables
- 2 medium Eggplants Peeled zebra, cut into half-inch slices, and sprinkled with salt at least 30 minutes, then squeezed and pat-dried)
- 2 medium Zucchinis Cut into half-inch slices
- 2 medium Potatoes or 1 yam Cut into half-inch slices
- 2 medium Tomatoes Cut into half-inch slices
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Dired Oregano or Zaatar herb
- ¼ cup Tomato sauce or 2 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 Sprinkle Sugar
- ½ cup Chicken Broth
- Lemon slices and parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Make Kofta: Combine Arabian Baharat, mint, parsley, onion, garlic, salt and olive oil together. Add to ground meat and mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.1 lb Ground lamb (or half beef or all beef), 2 tsp Arabian Baharat, ¼ cup Mint, 1 small bunch Italian Parsley, 1 small Onion, 1 clove Garlic, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Divide spiced meat into four equal parts, then divide each quarter into four again to create 16 balls. Flatten to make patties and set on large baking dish lined with parchment.
- Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and lay around kofta patties on baking sheet.2 medium Eggplants
- Roast meat and eggplant at 425 for 10 minutes to brown a bit. Remove from over and lower temperature to 375 F.
- Toss slices of zucchini, potato, and tomato with olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried oregano or zaatar herb.2 medium Zucchinis, 2 medium Potatoes or 1 yam, 2 medium Tomatoes, ¼ cup Olive Oil, 1 tbsp Dired Oregano or Zaatar herb
- Mix tomato sauce or paste with chicken broth and sugar. Season with salt.¼ cup Tomato sauce or 2 tbsp of tomato paste, 1 Sprinkle Sugar, ½ cup Chicken Broth
- In a deep baking dish or cast-iron skillet, arrange kofta, eggplant and raw sliced vegetables one after another vertically, starting from the edge of the vessel, and circling in towards its center until filled up. Make sure everything is nice and tight (It’s ok if kofta patties are a bit bigger than the vegetables; they will shrink with cooking). Pour tomato broth over everything.
- Bake UNCOVERED at 375 F for 45-60 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Garnish with parsley and lemon slices. Serve with rice or pita.Lemon slices and parsley to garnish
Categories: Arabian Baharat, Africa & The Levant, Beef, Lamb, Low, Main Dishes
Buy Spices Used: Arabian Baharat