Kofta in Pita Pockets with Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Dressing
½
cup plain Greek-style yogurt
½
cup sesame tahini
¼
cup finely chopped fresh cilantro or mint leaves, or a combination
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½
teaspoon kosher salt
Salad
1 cup chopped English cucumber
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
¼
cup finely chopped red onion
Kosher salt
Kofta
1½
pounds ground chuck (80 percent lean)
½
cup minced fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1½
teaspoons ground cumin
1½
teaspoons kosher salt
½
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½
teaspoon ground allspice
¼
teaspoon ground cardamom
¼
teaspoon ground turmeric
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 whole-wheat pitas
For the dressing: In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in up to 3 tablespoons of water until your desired consistency is reached. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the salad: In a medium bowl combine the salad ingredients, including salt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over high heat.
For the kofta: In a large bowl gently combine the kofta ingredients. Shape into 6 patties of equal size and thickness, about 3/4 inch thick. With your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a shallow indentation about 1 inch wide in the center of each patty. Brush the patties with oil. Sprinkle the pitas with water and wrap them in foil.
Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the patties over direct high heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until cooked to medium, 8-10 minutes, turning once when the patties release easily from the grate without sticking. While they cook, warm the pita packet over indirect high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once.
Cut each pita in half. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of the salad into each pita. Spoon some of the dressing over the salad. Place a patty into each pita pocket and spoon in more dressing, if desired. Serve warm.
Serves six.
"Weber's Way to Grill" by Jamie Purviance (2009 Weber Stephen, $24.95)