ground meat kebabs

Based on J. Kenji López-Alt's recipe at SeriousEats.com 

Grilled Lamb Kofta Recipe (Turkish-style lamb kebabs)

lb ground lamb

Kosher salt

tsp ground cumin (divided)

Tbsp ground sumac (divided)

Tbsp ground seedless pepper flakes

Tbsp ice-cold water

red onion (thinly sliced)

flatbread (like pita)

parsley leaves

tomatoes (sliced)

Pickled peppers (such

Mix together the lamb, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp sumac, and 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes. Knead and squish it together until it becomes sticky and tacky-fibrous. Add the water and continue to knead it together until well mixed. Chill in the refrigerator. 

Start your charcoal and preheat your grill.

Combine the remaining cumin, 2 tsp sumac, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Add 2 tsp salt. 

Toss the thinly sliced onion with the rest of the sumac (2 tsp) and salt to taste. Set aside. 

Divide the lamb mixture into 6–10 equally sized balls of meat.

Form each ball into a long, flat shape on the skewers (flat metal ones are best for this). Moistening your hands with water will make the process easier.

Set your kebabs on the grill, sprinkle them with some of the spice mixture, and cook, turning every couple minutes to get even browning. Sprinkle more spice mixture on as you cook and turn the kebabs.

After about 10 minutes, start checking the kebabs with your Thermapen.

As the lowest internal temperature of each kebab reaches 160°F (71°C), remove them from the grill. 

Warm the flatbreads on the grill and serve the kebabs with the dressed onions, the peppers, parsley, and tomato. A yogurt sauce would not be out of place either...

I'm not someone who shies away from salt. But just reading this recipe, I thought "That's a lot of salt!" So when I made it (with chicken because some family members won't eat lamb), I cut the salt in the meat mixture by 25%. It wasn't enough—especially if you follow the directions to keep sprinkling more salt on the kebabs while they cook. 
I may try again using lamb and perhaps half the recommended salt. But my advice is to avoid this recipe as written unless you are an extreme salt lover. Is it worth all the fuss? I'll let you know next time. So far, I'd have to say no.

Awesome recipe!made some homemade sourdough garlic naan to go with it.  A definite Do Again!

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