
Flatiron Foodies: ilili's Baked Kafta
For our final Flatiron Foodie recipe for the holiday season, ilili Restaurant shares a hearty winter dish perfect for a crowd on a cold day. A mixture of beef and lamb give this dish depth while fresh herbs and spices add a familiar holiday feel.
ilili's Baked Kafta makes a fantastic main dish for your dinner party, or can serve as a fantastic accompaniment for a robust holiday spread.
Cheers to good eats this holiday season!
ilili Restaurant's Baked Kafta
Serves: 6-8
Prep Time: 30-40 Mins
Cook Time: 45 Mins
Total Time: 1.5 Hours
Ingredients
- 20 oz Ground Lean Beef
- 8 oz Ground Lamb Fat
- 1.5 tsp All Spice
- 3/4 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 T. Kosher Salt
- 3/4 tsp Aleppo Pepper
- 1 c. Diced Onion
- 1/2 c. Finely Chopped Mint Leaves
- 1/2 c. Finely Chopped Parsley Leaves
- 2 ea Large Potatoes
- 2 c. Large Dice Ripe Roma Tomatoes (skinless)
- 2 c. Large Roma Canned Tomatoes with Juices
- 2 c. Sliced Onion
- 1/4 c. Sliced Garlic
- 1 T Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tsp All Spice
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 c. Water
- 1/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Potatoes:
- Peel the potatoes (item 10), and par boil until half way cooked, about 5 mins, depending on size
- Remove from heat, and allow to cool.
- Slice your potatoes into ¼ inch thick slices, and reserve for later use.
Sauce:
- Pre-heat your oven to 375 Degrees
- Combine items 11-19
- In a hot sauce pot, add Olive Oil and Garlic, and saute garlic until translucent, DO NOT brown.
- Add the Onions, and all the seasonings, and saute some more until onions are wilted.
- Add tomatoes, and water, and bring to a boil, allow to simmer (low bubbles) for 12 minutes.
- Reserve for later use.
Kafta Meat Patties:
- Combine ingredients 1 through 9 in a mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly incorporated, DO NOT overwork the meat.
- Form the meat into equal size patties, like a burger, ideally no more than ½ an inch thick.
- In a saute pan, add a little cooking oil, and sear the patties until brown on both sides, DO NOT cook all the way through.
Combining All:
- Places your patties in a circular shape, in your round 10 inch baking pan, add the sauce from above, and then layer the potatoes, as if you were layering a gratin or tart.
- Bruch the potatoes with oil, and bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or less or more depending on your house oven.
Pictured above: Baked Kafta.
Pictured below: ilili chef and owner, Philippe Massoud