Description
A delicious Persian dish consisting of koofteh kebabs cooked in a rich tomato sauce, served with fragrant golden kateh rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or a mix)
- 1 small onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for searing)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups tomato puree (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 3 cups water
- 3 tbsp butter or oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp salt
- French fries, golden and crisp (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and shape into small round meatballs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté chopped onion until golden, then add garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato puree, paprika, cinnamon (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the seared koofteh kebabs to the sauce. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
- Rinse basmati rice until water runs clear. In a pot, combine rice, water, butter or oil, turmeric, and salt. Cover and cook over low heat until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy with a golden crust (tahdig), about 25 minutes.
- Fry or bake French fries until golden and crisp.
- To serve, arrange koofteh kebabs in sauce on a platter. Serve with Kateh rice and fries on the side. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add chili powder to the meat mixture.
- To enhance the sauce, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or cilantro.
- Ensure the rice is rinsed thoroughly for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg