İnegöl Köfte with Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb
• 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup thick yogurt 1 cup thick yogurt
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Fresh dill, chopped Fresh dill, chopped
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 2g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small patties, about the size of a golf ball.
3. 3.
   Preheat a grill or a pan over medium heat. Cook the köfte for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the thick yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped dill to make the yogurt sauce.
5. 5.
   Serve the İnegöl köfte hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by the yogurt sauce. Enjoy with warm pita bread or rice pilaf.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and lamb — Use lean cuts of meat for a healthier option. Make sure the meat is well-chilled before mixing to enhance the texture of the köfte.
• Yogurt — Opt for thick yogurt, such as Greek yogurt, for a creamy and rich sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon or sumac to the köfte mixture.
• If you don't have a grill or prefer not to fry the köfte, you can also bake them in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15-20 minutes.
• To make the köfte more tender, you can soak the breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to the mixture.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a dash of chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the köfte mixture.

Serving advice

Serve the İnegöl köfte hot, accompanied by warm pita bread or rice pilaf. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the köfte or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the İnegöl köfte on a platter, placing the yogurt sauce in a small bowl in the center. Sprinkle some chopped dill and parsley over the köfte for an attractive presentation. Serve with a side of warm pita bread or rice pilaf.