Description
Kafta Bi Bandora, or Kafta with Tomato Sauce, is a traditional Middle Eastern dish of spiced ground meat patties baked in a tangy tomato sauce with onions and vegetables. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect with rice or warm pita bread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, lamb, or a mix of both
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3–4 medium tomatoes, sliced or diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: 1–2 thinly sliced potatoes or 1 bell pepper, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, grated onion, parsley, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Shape into oval patties or logs and place in a baking dish.
- Layer sliced tomatoes (and potatoes or peppers, if using) over the kafta.
- Whisk tomato paste, water, and olive oil together. Pour sauce evenly over the dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until kafta is cooked and sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over rice or with pita bread.
Notes
A beef-lamb mix gives the richest flavor.Add chili flakes for spice or extra vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.Grill patties before baking for a smoky flavor.Can be made ahead and baked later.Freezes well for up to 2 months—thaw before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
