Lamb Kofta

What you’ll need

Ingredients

• 600g lamb mince
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 inch ginger
• 4 green chillies
• 1-1 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp carom seeds
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 4-5 peppercorns (optional)
• 1/2 beaten egg or 1 heaped tbsp gram flour
• Handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• 2 tbsp oil for the sauce
• 1 onion for the sauce
• 2 garlic cloves for the sauce
• 1/2 inch ginger for the sauce
• 2-3 green chillies for the sauce
• 400g chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt for the sauce
• 1 tsp coriander powder for the sauce
• 1 tsp cumin powder for the sauce
• 1/2 tsp turmeric for the sauce
• 2 tbsp natural yoghurt (optional)
• 360ml water

Step by step

Method

1. Blend the onion, chillies, ginger and garlic for the meatballs.
2. Combine with the mince and all remaining meatball ingredients.
3. Shape into smooth golf ball-sized meatballs, wetting your hands lightly with water if needed.
4. For the sauce, heat the oil and fry the onion until light golden-brown, then leave to cool slightly.
5. Blend the tomatoes, chillies, garlic, ginger and fried onion.
6. Return the blended sauce to the saucepan, add the sauce spices and cook until the colour deepens.
7. Add the water and bring the sauce to a boil.
8. Reduce to a simmer and add the meatballs.
9. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes.
10. Stir in the yoghurt if using.
11. Serve with rice, naan bread or spaghetti.