Kebab Karaz

A delicious Armenian classic, kafta pieces that are simmered in a cherry sauce. Made so easy by using ready made cherry jam, this is a gorgeous meal that comes together in a flash!

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef (250 g)
• 1/2 lb ground lamb (250 g)
• 1/2 onion, grated or pulsed in a food processor
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• small handful of parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1.5 tsp seven spice or all spice powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• pinch red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp oil for cooking
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup cherry jam (8 oz, 250 g)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 1 lemon, squeezed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- For the kafta kebab: ---
2. 2Add all the ingredients in a large bowl, and mix well until combined. You can use gloved hands or a spoon to mix. I prefer using hands!
3. 3Form the meat mixture into oblong kebab shapes like pictured. Place on parchment lined baking sheet, and chill in fridge until skillet heats.
4. 4Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the kafta kebabs, and cook on either side about 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove kafta to a plate.
5. 5--- For the cherry sauce: ---
6. 6Reduce the heat to medium, and to the same skillet add the diced onion. Cook a few minutes, stirring, until onions soften and start to turn golden brown. Add the cherry jam, water, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir, then reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes or so until sauce begins to thicken.
7. 7Add the kafta back to the pan, and simmer for another 5 minutes or until kafta has warmed back through.
8. 8Serve topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley.