Terese’s Kefta

My best friend growing up was born in Lebanon and moved to the US in the 5th grade. The food her family prepared at home was authentic, homemade Lebanese fare; her mother made this dish quite frequently. I love Middle Eastern food, but this is my absolute favorite dish. You will find Kefta at many Middle Eastern restaurants, but no one makes it like my best friend’s mother (they tend to grill it and it bears no resemblance to this savory dish Terese makes). I was fortunate enough to help her make it one time and even though she doesn’t follow a recipe, she did her best to instruct me so I could write it down and replicate it myself. I have altered the amount of each ingredient slightly to my own tastes, but the methods are the same.

Traditionally this dish is eaten using Middle Eastern pita bread to scoop the meat and potatoes. I wouldn’t recommend eating it any other way!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 bunch Italian parsey, chopped
• 3/4 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 potatoes
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 can water
• 1 tsp Kefta seasoning (you can find this at Middle Eastern groceries)
• salt
• black pepper
• Middle Eastern pita bread

Method