Turkish lamb köfte with tahini sauce and smashed cucumber salad

In order to bring you the best organic produce, some ingredients may differ from those depicted.

Turkish lamb köfte with tahini sauce and smashed cucumber salad

Turkish lamb köfte with tahini sauce and smashed cucumber salad

Gluten-Free Friendly, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Paleo, Mediterranean, Carb-Conscious, Protein Plus

2 Servings, 650 Calories/Serving

25–40 Minutes

Paprika and cumin infuse these lamb meatballs with Turkish flavor, while pine nuts add crunch. Cucumber and tahini sauce are refreshing counterpoints to the rich meat.

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In your bag

1 bag serves 2 (2 bags serve 4)
Sunbasket is proud to source the organic ingredients indicated below. On the rare occasion we are unable to meet our organic promise, we'll put a note in your bag.
  • 1 organic cucumber
  • 1 organic red or other bell pepper
  • 1 or 2 cloves organic peeled fresh garlic
  • 10 ounces ground lamb
  • 4 or 5 sprigs organic fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Sunbasket köfte spice blend (onion powder - sweet paprika - granulated garlic - cumin)
  • Wooden skewers
  • Sunbasket lemon-tahini sauce base (lemon juice - tahini - garlic - orange juice - Marash chile flakes)
Chef's Tip
If making this dish for four people, cook the lamb köfte in two batches, adding more oil to the pan between batches if needed.
Ingredient IQ
Raw garlic can taste harsh to even the most sophisticated palates. The flavor will mellow as the garlic stands for several minutes with the lightly smashed cucumber, bell pepper, and a sprinkling of salt.

Nutrition per serving

Calories 650, Total Fat 52g (67% DV), Sat. Fat 13g (65% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 100mg (33% DV), Sodium 85mg (4% DV), Total Carb. 17g (6% DV), Fiber 6g (21% DV), Total Sugars 6g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars, 0% DV), Protein 30g
Contains: Tree Nuts (pine nut), Sesame

Sodium does not include pantry salt; for reference, ⅛; teaspoon kosher salt per serving averages 240mg (10% DV). Not a significant source of trans fat. Packed in a facility that handles all major food allergens* and gluten.

*Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, Sesame.

Instructions

2-serving instructions (4-serving modifications in red)

Wash produce before use

1

Smash the cucumber and bell pepper

  • Cut the cucumber into enough ½-inch pieces to measure 3 cups [6 cups].
  • Remove the stem, ribs, and seeds from the bell pepper; cut the pepper into ½-inch pieces.
  • Finely chop, press, or grate enough garlic to measure 1 teaspoon [2 tsp].
In a resealable plastic bag, combine the cucumber, bell pepper, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Using the back of a wooden spoon or the bottom of a cup, lightly smash the vegetables. Let stand while you prepare the rest of the meal.

2

Make the lamb köfte

  • Cut a small corner from the ground lamb packaging and drain off any excess liquid. Transfer to a plate; pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Coarsely chop the cilantro.
In a dry large frying pan over medium-low heat, toast the pine nuts, stirring often, until warm and just starting to brown, about 1 minute. Add the köfte spice blend and toast, stirring often, until fragrant and the pine nuts are lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Wipe out the pan.
To the bowl with the pine nut mixture, add the ground lamb and cilantro. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix gently until just combined. Using wet hands, form the lamb mixture into 4 [8] ovals; thread each onto a wooden skewer.

3

Cook the lamb köfte

In the same pan used for the pine nuts, warm 1 tablespoon [2 TBL] oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the lamb köfte and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. While the lamb köfte cook, prepare the tahini sauce.

4

Make the tahini sauce

In a small bowl, stir together the lemon-tahini sauce base and 2 tablespoons [¼ cup] oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve

Transfer the lamb köfte to individual plates and top with the tahini sauce. Serve with the smashed cucumber salad.
Kids Can!
  • Measure the cucumber.
  • Press the garlic (if you have a press).
  • Smash the cucumber and bell pepper.
  • Stir the tahini sauce.
  • Top the köfte with tahini sauce.
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