Prep Time
15-20 MIN
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
-
Servings
4

Ingredients
For the kafta:
● 1 lb ground American lamb
● 2 cloves garlic, grated
● ¼ small onion, finely grated
● 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
● 1 tsp ground cumin
● 1 tsp ground coriander
● ½ tsp paprika
● 1 tsp kosher salt
● ½ tsp black pepper
For the toum:
● ½ cup garlic cloves
● 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
● 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
● 2 Tbsp ice water, divided
● 1 ½ cups neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola oil, divided
For the mint infused rice:
● 2 cups basmati rice
● 3 cups water or broth
● 1 tsp salt
● 2 Tbsp olive oil or butter
● ¼ cup fresh mint, finely chopped
● Zest of 1 lemon
For the toppings:
● 4 mini Persian cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber), thinly sliced
● 3–4 radishes, thinly sliced
● 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
● 2 Tbsp fresh mint, torn
● 1 tsp sumac
● 1 cup toasted pita chips
● Extra lemon wedges
Directions
1. Preheat oven:
Set oven to 425°F to preheat.
2. Make rice:
Rinse rice until water runs clear. Combine rice, water, salt, and olive oil in a pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to low. Cook for 12–15 minutes, then remove from heat and rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff and fold in chopped mint and lemon zest while warm.
3. Make the toum:
In a food processor, blend garlic and salt until very smooth, scraping down sides. Add lemon juice and 1 Tbsp ice water, blend again. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in oil in a thin stream, alternating occasionally with remaining ice water. Continue until thick, fluffy, and emulsified (like a creamy spread). Taste and adjust with more lemon or salt.
4. Make the kafta:
In a bowl, combine American lamb, garlic, onion, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper and mix until just combined. Press the meat into an ¼-½ inch layer on a half sheet pan. Score into 2 inch by 1 inch rectangles with a bench scraper or knife. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Then turn on the broiler for 2-4 minutes to brown and crisp up the top of the meat.
5. Assemble:
Spoon mint rice into four bowls. Arrange sliced cucumbers, radishes, and tomatoes on top of the rice. Top with a few slices of the kafta and a dollop of toum. Sprinkle with sumac, toasted pita chips, torn mint, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
USDA recommends the following time and temperature parameters
Ground Lamb
Internal temperature of 160°F
All Other Cuts
Internal temperature of 145°F, with a 3 minute rest







