Kifta with Tahini Sauce

If there’s one recipe you should try from Auntie Eman's blog, it’s this one. This kifta dish is my absolute favorite — the flavors of the seasoned meat, roasted vegetables, and creamy tahini sauce come together so perfectly. I’m so excited to share it with you, and I hope you love it as much as I do.

This hearty and flavorful kifta dish is a perfect blend of savory spices, juicy roasted vegetables, and rich tahini sauce. Baked to perfection, the tender meat and seasoned veggies create a comforting meal that’s great for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Follow these simple steps to bring this Middle Eastern delight to your table.

Kifta with Roasted Tomatoes, Onions, and Tahini Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Vegetables:

• 3 tomatoes, sliced

• 2 onions, sliced

• 1/2 tbsp salt

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Meat:

• 1 medium pack ground beef (approximately 1 lb or 450 g)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1/2 onion

• 1/2 jalapeño

For the Tahini Sauce:

• 1/4 cup tahini

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 heaping tbsp yogurt (Desi or Arabic style)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp sumac

• 1/2 cup reserved broth from baking

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

   • In a large bowl, combine the sliced tomatoes and onions. Add salt, paprika, ground coriander, black pepper, and olive oil. Using your hands, rub the seasonings into the vegetables until evenly coated.

   • Transfer the seasoned vegetables to a flat baking pan, spreading them out in a single layer to avoid overlapping.

   • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tomatoes and onions soften and release their juices.

2. Prepare the Meat:

   • While the vegetables are baking, place the 1/2 onion and 1/2 jalapeño into a small food processor and blend into a paste.

   • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, paprika, ground coriander, black pepper, chopped garlic, and the onion-jalapeño paste. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well incorporated.

   • Shape the meat mixture into long oval shapes, forming traditional kifta.

3. Assemble and Bake:

   • Once the vegetables are done, remove the pan from the oven and drain the juices into a separate bowl. Set the juices aside for later.

   • Arrange the kifta over the roasted vegetables in the same pan, ensuring the meat is evenly spaced.

   • Return the pan to the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the kifta is fully cooked through.

4. Prepare the Tahini Sauce:

   • In a medium bowl, combine tahini, grated garlic, lemon juice, yogurt, salt, pepper, and sumac.

   • Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of the reserved broth until smooth and well combined.

5. Serve:

   • Pour the tahini sauce over the baked kifta and vegetables. Serve immediately.