Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes)

Name: Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes)
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20); 1 medium yellow onion, grated; 1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped; 1 tsp ground allspice; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp kosher salt; 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4 inch; 4 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch; 1/3 cup olive oil; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

105 minMediumServes 4540 cal/serving

Middle EasternDinnerOvenStandardHigh ProteinDairy-FreeGluten-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
1 medium yellow onion, grated
1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp kosher salt
2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4 inch
4 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20), 1 medium grated yellow onion, 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and half the 2 tsp kosher salt. Mix with your hands until just combined.
2

Press the kafta mixture into an even layer about 1/2 inch thick across the bottom of a large baking dish (roughly 9x13 inches). Score the surface lightly with a knife to help it cook evenly.
3

Arrange the 2 lbs peeled, sliced 1/4 inch russet potatoes in overlapping layers on top of the kafta. Season the potatoes with a pinch of the remaining salt. Layer the 4 medium sliced 1/4 inch ripe tomatoes on top of the potatoes.
4

Whisk together the 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, remaining salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Pour evenly over the entire dish.
5

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and roast for 35 minutes. Uncover and continue to roast until the potatoes are tender, the tomatoes are caramelized, and the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), about 15-20 minutes more.
6

Let rest 5 minutes, then slice into portions and serve directly from the pan with flatbread or rice.

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Questions

What is Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes)?

A Lebanese home-cook staple of spiced ground beef pressed into a baking pan, layered with sliced potatoes and tomatoes, then oven-roasted in a seasoned tomato sauce until everything is tender and caramelized. This reference files it under Middle Eastern dinner: made in the oven, rated medium and about 105 minutes start to finish.

What oven temperature does Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes) need?

For Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes), the oven is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 35 minutes, in step 5. The target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why does Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes) say not to overmix?

Step 1 reads: "Mix with your hands until just combined." Stirring develops gluten, and gluten makes quick batters tough and tunneled. Stop at step 1 while a few streaks of flour remain; they hydrate on their own.

What can I use instead of allspice in Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes)?

The entry for Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes) calls for 1 tsp ground allspice. In its place: Equal parts ground cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes)?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kofta with Potatoes) uses 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20).

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