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

1. 20 oz  Ground Lean Beef
2. 8 oz Ground Lamb Fat
3. 1.5 tsp All Spice
4. 3/4 tsp   Cinnamon
5. 1 T. Kosher Salt
6. 3/4 tsp Aleppo Pepper
7. 1 c. Diced Onion
8. 1/2 c. Finely Chopped Mint Leaves
9. 1/2 c. Finely Chopped Parsley Leaves
10. 2 ea  Large Potatoes
11. 2 c. Large Dice Ripe Roma Tomatoes (skinless)
12. 2 c. Large Roma Canned Tomatoes with Juices
13. 2 c.  Sliced Onion
14. 1/4 c. Sliced Garlic
15. 1 T Kosher Salt
16. 1/2 tsp All Spice
17. 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
18. 1 c. Water
19. 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