Lebanese · main
Kafta (Spiced Ground Meat Skewers)
Kafta (Spiced Ground Meat Skewers) reads umami 7.5, richness 6.4 and allium 3.6 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Lebanese main, about 35 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 7.9 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 1.7 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 0.0 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 2.9 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 6.9 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 4.2 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Umami 7.5 · Richness 6.4 · Allium 3.6 · Salinity 3.2 · Warm Spice 2.9 · Herbaceous 2.7 · Earthy 2.5 · Bitterness 2.0 · Nutty 1.6 · Sweetness 1.5 · Floral 1.3 · Heat 1.0 · Fruity 0.8 · Smoke 0.6
What's in it (9)
- 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Time & effort: about 35 min (25 min active) · effort: medium
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 49.8 kcal, 2 g protein, 1.5 g fat, 7.6 g carbs
Dietary: Contains meat — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (3 steps)
- Combine meat with very finely grated onion, chopped parsley, and spices, kneading until cohesive.
- Shape around flat metal skewers and grill over charcoal for 8-10 minutes, turning.
- Alternatively, press into a baking tray, top with sliced tomatoes and potatoes, and bake.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Kofte (Turkish Meatballs) — Turkish
- Kofta (Grilled Spiced Meat Skewers) — Egyptian
- Hawawshi — Egyptian
- Sambusa (Ethiopian Stuffed Pastry) — Ethiopian
- Keftedes — Greek
Keep reading: what umami, richness, allium mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.