This dish is a beautiful balance of **flavor, texture, and nutrition**. The combination of tender lamb and hearty lentils creates koftas that are both satisfying and wholesome. Paired with a vibrant herbed quinoa salad, it’s a meal that feels indulgent yet light.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or a weekend gathering, these koftas are easy to prepare and bring a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to your table. The fresh herbs and lemony yogurt sauce add brightness that ties everything together.

If you love globally inspired meals with a nutritious twist, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 150g lean ground lamb
• 150g cooked brown lentils (canned, rinsed)
• 80g quinoa
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 100g plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, for juice
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse the quinoa, place it in a small pot with 160ml of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
2. In a bowl, lightly mash the lentils. Add the ground lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, then form into 8 small koftas.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the koftas for 8–10 minutes, turning, until browned and cooked through.
4. While the koftas are cooking, combine the cooked quinoa, cucumber, and tomatoes in a serving bowl. Drizzle with the juice from half a lemon and season to taste.
5. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper to create a simple sauce.
6. Serve the koftas alongside the herbed quinoa salad, with a dollop of the yogurt sauce.

Tips & Substitutions

• Make it vegetarian: Replace the lamb with extra lentils or crumbled feta for a satisfying meat-free version.
• Grill instead of pan-fry: For a smoky flavor, grill the koftas on skewers over medium heat.
• Switch up the herbs: Try cilantro or dill if you don’t have parsley and mint on hand.

Nutrition

Calories: 1180 kcal

• Fat: 44g
• Carbohydrates: 87g
• Fiber: 16g
• Protein: 73g