Kefta Kebabs with Saffron Rice

Preparation Time 45 minutes

Cook Time 20 to 30 minutes

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients

Kefta Kebab

• Minced Beef 1 lb. (I usually use 85% lean and 15% fat)

• Dried Onion Flakes 3 tbsp

• Garlic Powder 1 tbsp

• Dried Oregano 1 tbsp

• Dried Thyme 1 tbsp

• Olive Oil 2 tbsp

• Salt to taste

Saffron Rice

• Parboiled Basmati Rice 1 cup

• Saffron Threads 6 to 8 (I used Turkish Saffron for this preparation)

• 1 1/4 cup Water

• Oil 2 tbsp

• Salt to taste

Method

1. In a bowl, mix the minced meat with the onion, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt and oil.

2. Divide the mixture into 10 to 12 balls. Mold each ball around the pointed end of a skewer, making an oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about an hour before using them.

3. Heat a grill pan or cast iron griddle over medium high heat. Brush the pan lightly with olive oil. Grill the kebabs, turning them occasionally, until brown all over and cooked through, about 7 to 8 minutes. However, I grilled my kebabs on the grill.

4. To cook on the grill, preheat the grill to about 350F and cook the kebabs for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, for medium rare and about a minute longer for medium.

5. Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter.

6. Wash, rinse and drain the rice in a bowl full of cold water until the water is almost clear, about 3 to 4 times. Just be careful while rinsing the rice grains, as they may break.

7. In a medium sized pot, add rice, 1 1/4 cup water, saffron, some salt and oil. Cook until almost all the water is absorbed and rice grains are cooked.

8. Serve the kebabs with some hummus and saffron rice.

Notes:

1. I recently discovered “Lal-Quila” Parboiled Basmati Rice, and highly recommend using this, for best results, and NO, I am not getting paid for recommending this brand! LOL

2. You could also make these kebabs with minced chicken or minced lamb.

3. Toss some cherry tomatoes in olive oil and garlic powder. Roast these in the oven at 350 for about ten minutes.

4. You could also thinly slice some Persian cucumbers; toss them in olive oil and dried dill and salt.

5. You could also roast some sweet potato wedges to go along with kebabs and rice.

6. Serve the cucumbers and tomatoes on the bed of saffron rice along with kebabs and sweet potato wedges.