Afghan Lamb Koftes with Avocado & Kiwi Salsa

Afghan Kofte with Avocado & Kiwi Salsa

This is adapted from a recipe by the wonderful Sally Butcher, who is normally associated with Iranian food. The pick up and eat with your hands aspect will appeal to your guy.

750g minced lamb

½ tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

¾ tsp chilli powder

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp turmeric

2 coves minced garlic

1 egg

½ tsp salt

1 tin decent chopped tomatoes

Salsa

2 small ripe avocados

2 ripe kiwi fruits

2 spring onions

½ small cucumber

½ green pepper

Small handful each chopped parsley and coriander

Juice of a lime and half of its zest

1 tsp Olive oil

Salt & pepper

To serve

6 tortillas or wraps

Greek or Turkish yoghurt

Another small handful each chopped parsley & coriander

Put an Umm Khaltum CD on. It’s not easy listening to Western ears but she creates the atmosphere of a Diva, which she definitely was. She wasn’t Afghan and you haven’t told him these kofte are either (he thinks he’s having meatballs).  But Umm Khalthum will change your mind-set and your mood. You’ll ease into this.

Mix all the kofte ingredients, except the tomatoes together. Kneading with your hands adds some warmth which will melt the fat and bind the ingredients together. When you’re happy it’s really well combined, refrigerate it to firm up.

Make the salsa by finely chopping the peeled avocado and kiwi and the pepper, cucumber and spring onions. Sprinkle with the oil and the lime juice. Zest it first. Season and chill. I don’t think this salsa is remotely authentic but it’s good. If your boy likes kiwis, emphasise this and downplay anything you think he might be less enthusiastic about.

The kofte are baked so roll them into sausages, about 5cm long and 2cm in diameter. The oven should be 200/Gas 6. Cold wet hands will stop them sticking. Place in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20 mins. Take them out and turn them over. Pour the tomatoes over. These are a sort of sauce but should end up as something clinging to the kofte, moistening them, rather than as a poured over sauce. Reduce the heat to 180/Gas 4 and give them another 20 mins. Feel free to improvise a celebratory dance around the kitchen as Umm Khalthum starts hotting up. I feel sure she would have approved. Nobody knows whether she actually had an opium soaked handkerchief but you can pretend you have one.

This is for self assembly at the table but ideally get some salsa on a wrap, steering clear of the edges. Add a couple of kofte and add a spoonful of yoghurt on top. If you like, add a splash of hot sauce such as Franks of Cholula (I like, he doesn’t) and sprinkle some fresh herbs over.

Fold the tortilla starting with the bottom and wrapping the sides over.

Serve with some potato wedges. The wraps invariably leak. You’re primed for this, he isn’t, When he gets it on his T-shirt, make him take it off. You’ve already turned the heating up so he doesn’t mind being topless. He’s got the very beginnings of a six pack showing so he’s happy to show it off.

Tuck in with both hands. Be amazed by just how long his eyelashes are.