306. Kofta Flowers

Kofta is the generic Arab term for a minced meat patty, usually shaped longitudinally.

This is kofta autrement, presented in a creative and modernized manner.

For some people, roast meat with gravy and mashed potato is the epitome of comfort home cooking.

This innovative recipe plays along that concept, with just 20 minutes of oven time!

The steps may be many, but they are as simple as can be.

They are named "flowers" due to the piped shape of the potato inside the kofta meat patty.

You can just as easily use a plastic kitchen bag and snip the corner off to replace a piping bag.

Adapted from the Yahoo! featured videos of Cooking With My Mom.

Ingredients:

For the kofta:

500g minced meat

1 large onion (or 3 small)

1 slice toast

1/3 cup milk

salt & pepper

For the potato mash:

1 1/2 large potatoes

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup cream

1/2 cup grated cheese

salt & pepper

For the mushroom sauce:

1 box (250g) mushrooms

1 Tbsp butter

1 cup cream

salt & pepper

Method:

Start by preparing the potatoes: peel and rinse the potatoes.

Place in a cooking pot, pour over boiling water to cover.

Return to the boil for about 20 minutes, until easily pierced with a fork.

While the potatoes are boiling, prepare the kofta.

In a rimmed dish, place your toast and pour over it the milk.

Set aside for about 5 minutes until the toast is easily mushed with a fork (see picture).

Using a food processor, process the peeled onion to a puree as much as possible.

Add the toast and the milk, process.

Add the minced meat and the salt and pepper, process (see picture).

I got 5 patties out of this mixture.

Using wet hands, shape the meat into 5 generous patties, and place on a rimmed baking pan.

Using a wet finger or thumb, make a hole in the center of each patty, just like a donut.

Set aside until potatoes are done.

Preheat oven to 400F.

Drain the potatoes, discarding the water.

While the potato is still hot, mash with a fork and mix in the butter, cheese, cream, and seasonings.

Fill a piping bag (or plastic food bag) with the potato mash, ad fill in the kofta "donut."

When all are filled, bake for about 20 minutes in the pre-heated oven.

While he kofta are baking, prepare the mushroom sauce.

Wipe the mushroom clean,

Slice the mushroom thinly.

In a saucepan, melt the butter and saute the mushroom until starting to color.

Add the cream and seasonings.

Simmer over medium low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, just to slightly thicken the sauce.

To serve, you may either place the mushroom sauce over or under the kofta.

I liked to have some salad and rice to accompany the kofta.

 صحة و عافية