Sufra Dayma:

Oriental "Kofta" in Tomato Sauce

By Moushira Abdel-Malek

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Ingredients:

1/2 kg red minced beef

1 cup washed rice

1 large onion (finely chopped)

1 tsp crushed garlic

2 tbsp each: parsley, coriander + dill (all finely chopped)

1 tsp ground cumin

Oil for deep frying

Salt + pepper + allspice

TOMATO SAUCE:

1/2 kg red juicy tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 chicken cube

1 tbsp grated onion

Blend tomatoes in an electric blender. Add some butter or oil in a large cooking pan. Gently fry the onion until yellowish. Add all other ingredients. Bring to the boil and simmer covered over low heat for one hour. Season to taste.

Method:

Mix all ingredients together except rice. Ground rice alone to crush finely in electric grinder then add to mixture. Mix well again, then blend in batch in electric blender. Form into long fingers and deep fry in oil to brown on all sides. Remove on paper towels. Bring tomato sauce to the boil (may need some water) and add "kofta". Cover and cook over low heat (approx 15-20 min) Serve with rice and green salad.