Beef Kofta with Minty Yogurt Sauce

Kofta are Middle eastern-style ground meat kabobs. They are full of aromatic herbs and spices and are perfect for a delicious weekend grilled dinner. In Greece and Cyprus, kofta are often made with lamb, but beef works great too (or a mixture of both.)

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup minced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons bread crumbs (wheat or gluten-free)
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 skewers
Minty sauce:
1 5.3 oz. container plain yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash cayenne pepper
Optional accompaniments: tomatoes, cucumbers, pita or naan bread, feta cheese, hummus, baba ganoush, lettuce

1. Mix the ground beef with the onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and seasonings until thoroughly combined. Divide into 6 balls. Shape the balls neatly into an elongated football shape and thread them through the center, length-wise, onto the skewers. Place on a plate or pan and refrigerate.
2. Heat the grill and make the sauce: Stir all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl, taste, and adjust seasonings. Heat the grill to around 350°F.
3. Wipe the grill grate with a paper towel soaked in a bit of oil. Place skewers on grill, cover, and cook about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes there should be some nice grill marks on the meat. Turn the skewers, cover, and cook another 5-6 minutes or until cooked through. Serve with pita bread and other fresh accompaniments. Serves 2-3.