Beef Kofte with Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

Spicy Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 cups (~1 - 14 oz can) crushed, fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, crushed (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
• 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
Kofte
• 16 oz ground sirloin
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 4 Tbsp fresh cilantro (or coriander), finely chopped
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
Cucumber Raita
• 1 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
• 1/2 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
To serve:
• 6 cups baby spinach leaves
• 1 Tbsp ground sumac
• 4 whole grain pita or flat bread rounds, warmed
• Flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

Instructions

To make Spicy Tomato Sauce:
1. Combine crushed tomatoes, garlic and chili powder in a small saucepan and simmer while preparing the kofte and raita, about 20 minutes or until sauce begins to reduce and thicken
To make Kofte:
2. Combine beef, onion, cilantro and herbs in a bowl and mix well.
3. Shape into 16 oval kofte balls and cook on a pre-heated grill, turning occasionally, for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through. (a non-stick skillet will also do the job inside)
To make Cucumber Raita:
4. While kofte are cooking, combine cucumber, yogurt and cilantro in a serving bowl and stir until cucumber is coated with yogurt
To serve:
5. Cover each warmed pita round with 1 1/2 cups spinach
6. Place 4 cooked Kofte on top of spinach
7. Drizzle with spoonfuls of Spicy Tomato Sauce
8. Dollop with spoonfuls of Cucumber Raita
9. Garnish with fresh, flat-leaf parsley

Notes