🍽️ Makes: 4–6
🔪 Prep time: 20 mins (plus chilling)
🔥 Cook time: 10–12 mins
⚖️ Net carbs: 4g per portion
💪 Protein: 18g per portion
✅ No added sugar and no seed oils
Smoky, juicy and packed with warming spice. These lamb koftes are loaded with fresh herbs, toasted pistachios and shawarma spice, giving you crisp charred edges and a tender, flavour-packed centre - made for the barbecue.
Ingredients
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400g lamb mince
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1 small red onion
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1 small red pepper
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Handful flat-leaf parsley
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Handful coriander
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Handful pistachios
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2 slices fu:di bread
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Zest of 1 lemon
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2–3 garlic cloves
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1 heaped tbsp shawarma spice
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Sea salt
- Black pepper
Step 1 - Toast the pistachios
Place a dry frying pan over medium heat and toast the pistachios for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Allow to cool slightly, then chop roughly.
Step 2 - Prepare the vegetables
Cut the onion and red pepper into rough chunks and place into a food processor. Blend until finely broken down, then transfer to a sieve set over a bowl to drain away excess moisture.
Step 3 - Build the kofte mixture
Blend the fu:di bread into fine crumbs. Finely chop the parsley and coriander. Grate the garlic and zest the lemon.
Place everything into a large bowl with the lamb mince, toasted pistachios, shawarma spice, salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until fully combined and slightly sticky.
Step 4 - Chill the mixture
Cover and place into the fridge for 1 hour to firm up and allow the flavours to develop.
Step 5 - Shape the koftes
Divide the mixture evenly and press firmly around skewers into long kofte shapes. Smooth the surface lightly with damp hands.
Step 6 - Cook the koftes
Place onto a hot barbecue or griddle and cook, turning regularly, until charred on the outside and juicy in the centre.
To serve
Serve hot with chopped herbs, grilled lemon and a crisp salad or wrapped in warm low-carb flatbreads with yoghurt and chilli sauce.
Chef’s Tip
Draining the onion and pepper properly keeps the koftes firm and helps them char rather than steam on the grill.