Kafta Beef Kabobs

 

Kafta Kabob (aka Kafta or Kofta Kebob)
Recipe by my friend Afaf at Simply Heaven

Ingredients:

2 Pounds ground beef

1 bunch of parsley finely chopped washed and well drained

1 Onion finely chopped

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tea spoon all spice

1/2 tea spoon paprika

1/2 tea spoon black pepper

1/2 tea spoon cumin

Salt to your taste

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients, work it like dough and make sure press a little tight so it can stick to the skewer.

Tip: Lightly wet your hands after each skewer

HOW TO photos here

Afaf’s Blog –  “Simply Heaven”

Photo by MyLastBite, taken at Afaf’s Dinner Party on 4/25/09

Mouhamara (Peppers, Walnut Pesto)

Mouhamara (Peppers & Walnut Pesto)
Recipe by my friend Afaf at Simply Heaven

1 Jar 12 oz roasted peppers, (Well drained)

1 π lightly toasted walnuts for mixing it in the food processor with the peppers

 ∏ cup walnut chunky chopped for mixing at the end to give it a crunch

≤ cup FRESH plain bread crumbs

2 cloves minced garlic

3 tea spoons pomegranate molasses

1 table spoon lemon juice

1 tea spoon cumin

1 tea spoon Cayenne peppers (more or less it depend how hot you want it)

1 table spoon Tahini sauce

About 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt to your taste.

 

 

In the food processor add all ingredients but NOT the olive oil and Not the ∏ cup of the chunky chopped walnuts

While the processor is running (not for long) start adding (kind of drizzling) the olive oil until it forms the perfect consistency.

 

In a bowl add the chunky walnuts and fold a few times to mix.

Serve in a room temp. It is great plain on crispy pita bread or a garnish for meat.

1 Jar of 12 oz Roasted Pepper, well drained

1 1/4 cup lightly toasted walnuts for mixing it in the food processor with the peppers

1/2 cup walnut chunky chopped for mixing at the end to give it a crunch

3/4 cup FRESH plain bread crumbs

2 cloves minced garlic

3 tea spoons pomegranate molasses

1 table spoon lemon juice

1 tea spoon cumin

1 tea spoon Cayenne peppers (more or less it depend how hot you want it)

1 table spoon Tahini sauce

About 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt to your taste.

In the food processor add all ingredients but NOT the olive oil and Not the 1/2 cup of the chunky chopped walnuts

While the processor is running (not for long) start adding (kind of drizzling) the olive oil until it forms the perfect consistency.

In a bowl add the chunky walnuts and fold a few times to mix.

Serve in a room temp. It is great plain on crispy pita bread or a garnish for meat.

Afaf’s HOW TO photo on this page

Afaf’s Blog –  “Simply Heaven”

Photo by MyLastBite, taken at Afaf’s Dinner Party on 4/25/09

My Valentine Wiener

Peter and I celebrated a different kind of Valentine’s Day this year. Instead of our usual fancy “schmancy” dinner out, we opted for an afternoon trek downtown to Wurstküche, the “Purveyor of Exotic Grilled Sausages”.

Thinking there would be no traffic, we hopped on the 101 freeway a little before noon. What should have been a fifteen minute drive to Alameda street, took over an hour in the heavy traffic. I really hoped these exotic meats would be worth the trouble, especially since we skipped breakfast and were by then, really hungry. I wanted my wiener and I wanted it now!

After we parked (conveniently right out front of Wurstküche Restaurant), we walked in and quickly went over the menu. The sausages are broken down into three categories: “Classics”, “Gourmet” and “Exotics”. I ordered the Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Pepper Sausage and Peter went for the Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers (both from the “Exotics” list).

Along with sausages we also ordered Belgian Fries with Truffle Oil, which came with a dipping sauce. Choices were: Sweet and Sassy BBQ, Blue Cheese Walnut Bacon, Buttermilk Ranch, Thai Peanut, Tzatziki, Chipolte Ketchup, Sundried Tomato Mayo, Chipolte Mayo and Pesto Mayo. We selected the Blue Cheese Walnut Bacon.

As we continued ordering, I looked around and was shocked at how small the restaurant was. There was bar seating in front of the order counter and kitchen, and two small bistro tables outside. I’d heard great things about Wurstküche and wondered “where are all the eaters?”. Was I at the wrong place?

Like most folks, Peter and I rarely drink alcohol during the day (unless we’re on vacation of course), but this being a Valentine’s lunch and all, we decided it was a must. The list of beers (draft and bottled) were a little intimidating because, honestly, we’re not really into beer, so basically we blindly chose one each. Both draft beers, I selected the Chimay White and Peter ordered the Houblan Chouffe which was an Indian Pale.

While sipping our beers and waiting for our food, Peter noticed there were people coming from up the hallway. He asked one of the waiters where it led to and he motioned me to follow him. There we found a dining hall filled with smiling, happy people feasting on glistening sausages. The room was really large… probably 2,000 square feet, with communal tables and another bar along the back. A very relaxing “bier garten” indeed.

Speaking of which, both of our beers were delicious. My Chimay White was crisp and a tiny bit bitter (in a good way). Peter’s beer (the Indian pale, Houblan Chouffe) was amazing. I kept sipping it trying to figure out the flavor I was tasting, and I swear there was a hint of passion fruit.

Between the two sausages we shared, we both really loved the Duck, Bacon with Jalapeno and will definitely order that again and again. Next time we’ll have to try the Alligator & Pork or Green Chillies & Cilantro as well.

Note: The Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers was good, but the Duck, Bacon with Jalapeno was “make your eyes roll back in your head” good.

Hooray, the food is here!

Duck and Bacon with Jalapeno Pepper Sausage $7.75

Rattlesnake and Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers $7.75

Belgian Fries $3.50 with Blue Cheese Walnut Bacon Dressing (AWESOME). Truffle Oil +$1.50

Chimay White $8, Houblan Chouffe $8 (note the communal tables in background)

Two groovy chairs in the back bier hall/dining room. Comfy but too low to eat at, so we moved to one of the communal tables.

The almighty sausage case.

Order counter and beers on tap (upper left photo)

mmm… nothing beats the smell of wieners on a grill.

Wurstküche
800 E 3rd St,
Downtown Los Angeles
213.687.4444

Dining Date: 2/14/09

Website

On our way home the freeway was clogged (again) and pretty much a parking lot, so instead of trying to fight it we took the side streets. Driving along, every time we spotted a McDonalds, Peter and I started laughing because of the most recent episode of “30 Rock”. If you haven’t seen the “Valentines” episode then this won’t make sense to you, but we just had to stop and get a McFlurry! I hadn’t had a McFlurry in years… actually I’m not sure if I’ve ever had one. I definitely remember Dairy Queen Blizzards when I was younger, but this may have been my first McFlurry. I had the Oreo flavor and Peter had Snickers. It was definitely a sweet ending to our kooky, fun Valentine’s Day. Thanks Tina Fey!

Mentioned Above:

30 Rock

McDonalds

DQ