İzmir 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 small onion, grated 1 small onion, grated
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat) 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh mint or dill, for garnish Fresh mint or dill, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 20g (8g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), breadcrumbs, and beaten egg. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
3. 3.
   Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the yogurt sauce.
5. 5.
   Serve the İzmir köfte hot, drizzled with the yogurt sauce and garnished with fresh mint or dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and lamb — Make sure to use lean ground meat for a healthier option. If you prefer a stronger lamb flavor, you can increase the amount of ground lamb in the recipe.
• Greek yogurt — Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamier and richer sauce. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use low-fat Greek yogurt.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the meatball mixture.
• If you don't have breadcrumbs on hand, you can substitute them with crushed crackers or oats.
• To achieve perfectly shaped meatballs, wet your hands with water before rolling the mixture into balls.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the meatball mixture.
• Leftover İzmir köfte can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Serving advice

Serve İzmir köfte with warm pita bread, rice pilaf, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Drizzle extra yogurt sauce over the meatballs for added creaminess.

Presentation advice

Arrange the İzmir köfte on a platter, garnished with fresh mint or dill. Place a bowl of yogurt sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling. Serve with warm bread or rice on the side to complete the presentation.