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Lebanese Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes

Lebanese Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes

By Courtney HillOctober 1, 2021

  • Makes
    4 to 6 servings
  • Cook Time
    1½ hours
  • Active time plus cooling
    1 hour active, plus cooling
  • Rating

It’s easy to see why kafta bil sanieh, a casserole, if you will, of sliced potatoes, rounds of tomatoes and flavorful kafta (seasoned meatballs or meat patties), is Lebanese comfort food. The ingredients are shingled into a baking dish and baked until the flavors meld and the textures become deliciously succulent and tender. Our rendition, based on a recipe from “The Palestinian Table” by Reem Kassis, starts with a simple no-cook tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, where juices collect during baking and form a delicious sauce. To ensure the potatoes cook evenly and thoroughly, we precook them by roasting them for about 10 minutes, enough time to begin making the kafta. We especially like the flavor of ground lamb kafta, but if you prefer, use 80 percent lean ground beef instead. Serve with rice pilaf.

Tip

Don’t overmix the meat mixture or the kafta will cook up with a firm, bouncy texture. Using a light hand when mixing and shaping will keep the kafta tender. The patties don’t need to be perfectly round, but do try to keep them about ¼ inch thick, as they’ll puff a little when baked. And if one or two (or a few) fall apart while you layer the ingredients into the baking dish, not to worry—gently smoosh the patties back together.

Ingredients
  • 1

    pound Yukon Gold potatoes, not peeled, sliced into ¼-inch rounds

  • 2

    tablespoons plus ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 1

    pound ground lamb or 80 percent lean ground beef

  • 1

    medium yellow onion, halved and grated on the large holes of a box grater

  • ½

    cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • ½

    teaspoon ground allspice

  • ½

    teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 14 ½

    ounce can crushed tomatoes

  • 2

    medium garlic cloves, minced

  • 1

    pound plum tomatoes, cored and sliced into ¼-inch rounds

  • 1

    small green bell pepper or Anaheim chili, stemmed, seeded and sliced into thin rings

Step 1

Heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the middle position. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of oil and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Distribute in a single layer and roast without stirring just until a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, 10 to 13 minutes.

Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Leave the oven on.

Step 2

While the potatoes cook, line a second baking sheet with kitchen parchment. In a medium bowl, combine the lamb, onion, parsley, allspice, cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Using your hands, mix gently until just combined; do not overmix.

Divide the mixture into about 20 golf ball-size portions (1½ to 1¾ inches in diameter) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball into a patty about 2½ inches wide and ¼ inch thick (it’s fine the patties are not perfectly round); set aside until ready to assemble.

Step 3

In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the crushed tomatoes, garlic, the ¼ cup oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir well, then distribute in an even layer.

Shingle the potatoes, tomato slices, green pepper rings and meat patties in 3 or 4 rows down the length of the baking dish, alternating the ingredients.

Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with pepper.

Step 4

Bake, uncovered, until the kafta and potatoes are browned and the juices are bubbling, 25 to 35 minutes.

Cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

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