Lebanese Grilled Kafta

Lebanese Grilled Kafta 

Lebanese Kafta is ground meat flavored with spices and grilled kabob.  Try ground beef, lamb, or goat.  Sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef, 85/15 fat content
2 tablespoons grated yellow onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons parsley, flat or curly, finely chopped
3 tablespoons mint, finely chopped, plus more for finishing
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon sumac
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon crushed dried mint or Mint Salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine the beef with the onion, parsley, mint, salt, pepper, sumac, and cinnamon. Chill for at least one hour and up to one day. 

Heat the grill to medium. Coat the grates with oil.

Use 1/2 cup of the meat mixture to form an oblong football shape. 

Pierce lengthwise with a 12-inch or smaller skewer. Continue to shape the kafta until it is longer and thinner, about 6 inches by 2 inches, on the skewer. Repeat this process with the rest of the meat.

Place the skewers crosswise on the grill grates. Lower the lid and cook for about 3 minutes, or until golden with char marks on the bottom. 

Turn the kafta skewers and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the meat reaches 135°F.

Remove the kafta from the grill to a platter or cutting board. Brush the kafta with olive oil and dust with chopped mint. Serve immediately.