Vegetable Kofta Tray – A Delicious and Nutritious Main Course

This Vegetable Kofta Tray is a flavorful main dish that combines protein from minced meat with vitamins and fiber from a variety of vegetables, depending on what you have on hand. It’s baked in a rich tomato sauce. Kofta dishes are traditional favorites in many Arab and Middle Eastern kitchens, prized for their simplicity and delicious taste.

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

• Minced meat: 500g

• Onion: 1 small (grated or finely chopped)

• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)

• Parsley: 3 tbsp (chopped)

• Salt: ¼ tsp

• Black pepper: ¼ tsp

• Meat spice mix: ¼ tsp

• Nutmeg: a pinch

• Breadcrumbs: 3 tbsp (ground)

• Potatoes: 3 (sliced into rounds)

• Tomatoes: 3 (sliced into rounds)

• Onion: 1 large (sliced into rings)

• Bell pepper: 1 (sliced)

• Zucchini: 1 (sliced)

• Carrot: 1 (sliced)

• Tomato paste: 3 tbsp

• Hot water or meat broth: 2 cups

• Olive oil: 2 tbsp

• Salt, pepper, meat spice, oregano: to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the minced meat with grated onion, parsley, spices, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs.

2. Knead the mixture well by hand until fully combined and sticky.

3. Shape the kofta either into round discs (similar in size to vegetable slices) or fingers, as desired.

4. Chill the kofta in the fridge for 15–30 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.

5. In a large bowl, mix potato slices, zucchini, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Season with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.

6. Lightly sauté potato and other vegetable slices in a little oil before arranging them in the tray. This reduces baking time and enhances flavor.

7. In a baking dish, arrange the kofta and vegetables alternately—layered or in alternating rows (e.g., potato, kofta, tomato, zucchini, etc.).

8. In a separate bowl, mix tomato paste with hot water or meat broth. Add salt, spices, paprika, oregano, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Pour the sauce over the kofta and vegetables, ensuring most ingredients are covered.

9. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).

10. Cover the tray with parchment paper and aluminum foil, and bake for 30–40 minutes until the kofta is cooked and the vegetables are tender.

11. Remove the cover and bake for another 10–15 minutes to brown the top and thicken the sauce slightly.

12. Serve the Vegetable Kofta Tray hot, typically with rice pilaf or Arabic bread.