Everyone loves a meatball I think. I don't feel like this is one of those times when I should now ask "or is that just me?" No, I am confident. I think. Ok, let's go with "most" people love a meatball! There. No generalisations here! Most cultures have some form of meatball or meatloaf that plays a part in their cuisine. For Italians it is sometimes called "polpetti", in Asia it can be a "dumpling" and for us it's just a good old meatball. In Middle Eastern cuisine it's known as a kofta, sometimes also written as kofte.

My Middle Eastern style Lamb Kofta are whipped up in a flash using your Combi-Steam and can be served in lots of different ways. They are great with cocktails served with some creamy hommus for dipping, alongside some rice and pitta or Turkish bread with dips as a meal or as I often do, as part of a platter. Being true to the style of food we would call it a Mezze (or Meze or Mezzeh) platter which is basically lots of little nibbles or bites served together. I guess it's another version of Tapas in Spain or Zakuski in Russia.

I love to eat this way because you get to try lots of different little bites. It's also a great way to please everyone at the table, especially kids, as they can pick and choose what they like and make their own little feast.

And of course, using the Combi-Steam is an absolute winner for this because you can add other bits, like veggies and breads, to the oven while the Kofta are cooking to add to your platter. Easy!

(recipe can be doubled or tripled to serve more if desired)

Ingredients:
500g lamb mince
8 green olives (pitted and finely chopped)
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg zest of 1 lemon* (see tip!)
good handful chopped flat leaf (Italian) parsley
1 tbs dried oregano
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp harissa paste*
2 tbs currants

Method:

1. Place all ingredients, with a good pinch of salt and black pepper, into a mixing bowl.Combine well with clean hands or a wooden spoon. (Or put it all into your stand mixer with the beater attachment or food processor and mix until combined.)

2. Roll mixture into firmly packed oval shaped meatballs (like little AFL or rugby balls). Use around 1 ½ to 2 tbs per meatball.

3. Line a baking tray with baking paper and place meatballs onto it, leaving space in between. Spray lightly with olive oil and gently move around to coat on all sides.

4. Select Hot Air+Steaming/Combination Steam on your Combi Steam. Set the temperature to 230°C. Allow it to preheat. (For variable Steam select Low or around 20%)

5. When it reaches the temperature place the tray into the oven and cook for 15-18 minutes or until browned on the outside and 'springy' when pressed gently. (You may want to turn them or shake the tray part way through the cooking.)

6. Serve with hommus for dipping or as part of a "mezze" platter with dips, flatbread, olives, grilled veg and cheese.

Tips:

*I like to add the juice from my zested lemon to either store bought or homemade hommus to add extra zing….don't ever waste your lemon juice when using the zest! Or serve as wedges for people to add themselves (see pic above).

*Harissa is a Middle Eastern chilli paste available at good food delis and can be adjusted to your personal taste! These are quite mild so add a little more if you like it spicy!

*this is a great recipe to get the kids involved in….they love getting their hands in to combine the mince mixture and roll the kofta. Damp hands will help stop it sticking on your hands.

*Add veggies like half moon slices of sweet potato, sliced zucchini, asparagus and button mushrooms to serve as part of a platter to the Combi-Steam, on a tray, sprayed lightly with oil and seasoned with S&P as required. Adjust cooking times accordingly eg. slices of sweet potato may take 5-8 minutes while zucchini and asparagus will a take just few minutes.

*Bread like Turkish bread or torn pita bread can also be added to the Combi-Steam while the meatballs cook. For cripsy pita pieces, spray with oil, and cook for around 6 minutes. Warming Turkish bread or flat bread will only take a few minutes.

One of my royal favourites and something that gets whipped up in my palace kitchen again and again. It takes you on a little sojourn to the Middle East without having to bother going to the airport!

Get cooking Combi-Steamers!

Yours in the kitchen,

The CSQ. x