Beef Kofta on Lebanese Bread

Ready in under 20 minutes – the slowest part of this recipe is probably heating your oven!

Lightly spiced mince on a crispy base with fresh herbs, served with a tzatziki-style dip – this is a tasty, healthy snack or light meal that’s a bit different and sure to please everyone!

It's easy to double or triple this recipe to suit your needs. As a snack or part of a Middle Eastern spread I'd allow 2 slices per person. As a light meal, served with a side salad I'd allow 3 slices per person.

Makes: 6 slices

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the kofta:

• 250g very lean beef mince

• 2 teaspoons cumin powder

• 2 teaspoons ground coriander

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 Lebanese bread round (approx. 30cm)

• 1 teaspoon butter, melted (or olive oil spray – see notes)

  
  

For the cucumber dip:

• ½ Lebanese cucumber

• 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (see notes for lemon alternative)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons plain yoghurt (full-fat recommended – see notes)

For garnish:

• Fresh herbs of your choice(I used coriander and parsley)

• Small amount (approx. ⅛ small onion) finely chopped red onion

  
  

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C

2. Make the kofta mixture: In a bowl, combine the beef mince, cumin, coriander, and salt.

3. Assemble: Place the Lebanese bread round on a metal baking tray. Using your fingers, spread the mince mixture evenly over the bread, right to the edges, forming a thin, even layer.

4. Brush with melted butter or spray lightly with olive oil. (see notes)

5. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the bread is very crisp and the mince is browned and cooked through.

6. Make the dip while it bakes: Finely dice the Lebanese cucumber. In a small bowl, combine the cucumber, apple cider vinegar, salt, and yoghurt. Mix well.

7. Garnish: Sprinkle the cooked kofta with fresh herbs and red onion.

8. Serve: Transfer to a serving board, cut into 6 slices, and serve with the cucumber dip.

   
   

Notes

• Lemon alternative: You can use the juice of ½ a lemon instead of apple cider vinegar. Taste and add more lemon if desired.

• Browning tip: Brushing with butter or spraying with oil helps brown the mince. You can omit this, but the mince won’t brown as much (even though it will still be cooked through).

• Yoghurt choice: I recommend full-fat yoghurt for the dip – it gives a thicker, creamier consistency.

• Cheat: If you want an even easier and quicker snack you could purchase a good quality tzatziki dip.