Baked kofta with tomato sauce

Kofta with Tomato Sauce Recipe: A Culinary Journey to the East

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 80 minutes
Number of servings: 4

I present to you a delicious recipe for Kofta with tomato sauce, a dish with Eastern flavors that will delight any food lover. These juicy chicken meatballs, served with a rich tomato sauce, are perfect for a family dinner or a special lunch. Let's get started!

Ingredients for Kofta (meatballs):
- 3 chopped chicken breasts (about 600 g)
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- A bunch of green onions
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 2 teaspoons of tahini
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 egg
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped parsley

Ingredients for the tomato sauce:
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 medium onions
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 3 cups of water
- Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation instructions:

1. Preparing the Kofta meatballs:
- Start by chopping the onion and garlic. You can use a food processor to achieve a fine texture, which will help integrate the flavors.
- In a large bowl, add the minced chicken, chopped onion and garlic, finely chopped green onions, cumin, tahini, olive oil, egg, and salt. Mix the ingredients well with your hands or a silicone spatula until a homogeneous mixture forms.
- Use wet hands to shape meatballs of your desired size (about 30-40 g each). Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

2. Preparing the tomato sauce:
- In a pan, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent.
- Add the tomato paste, sugar, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and then pour in the 3 cups of water. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, until it thickens slightly.

3. Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the Kofta meatballs in the tray, ensuring they are well covered. Cover the tray with aluminum foil to prevent the meatballs from drying out during baking.
- Bake the dish in the oven for 60 minutes. Halfway through, remove the foil to allow the meatballs to brown nicely.

4. Serving:
- After baking, remove the tray from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes. Serve the Kofta with tomato sauce alongside basmati rice or warm flatbreads. You can sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a fresh and aromatic touch.

Practical tips:
- You can adapt the recipe using lamb or beef if you prefer a different version of the Kofta meatballs.
- Add vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to the tomato sauce for a touch of freshness and consistency.
- If you want a spicier sauce, you can add chili flakes or freshly chopped chili peppers.

This Kofta with tomato sauce recipe is not only simple but also full of flavors that will transport you directly to the heart of the East. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: Kofta (meatballs): 3 chopped chicken breasts, 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic, a bunch of green onions, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons sesame paste, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 egg, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley. Tomato sauce: 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 onions, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon cumin, 3 cups of water, salt and pepper to taste.

 Tags:  chicken breast tomato sauce