Kofte

2  lb.		ground beef, 90% lean
1  cup		breadcrumbs
2  cups		onions, finely grated and excessive juice removed
4		cloves garlic,s mashed (optional)
1  dash		½ teaspoon salt
1  teaspoon		black pepper
1  teaspoon		cumin
1  teaspoon		red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper, optional
1  teaspoon		dried thyme
1  teaspoon		chili powder, optional
1  cup		water
1  teaspoon		baking soda
1  teaspoon		lemon juice

Tip: For nutritional information on all the ingredients in Kofte just click on each ingredient name. Then adjust the serving size for any Kofte ingredient with the serving size tool in the nutrition facts area to the right to see how you can save calories, carbs and more.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion and mashed garlic.

Add in the spices.
In a small bowl, mix baking soda, water and lemon juice. Pour this into the ground beef mixture. Mix well with your hand. Knead it for 5 minutes so that everything is combined well.
Cover and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight or at least 2-3 hours.
Roll them into meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a cast iron pan or any non-stick pan. Cook the meatballs over high heat, flipping them over or shaking the pan occasionally so that all sides are cooked for about 3 minutes. Don't overcrowd the pan, cook the meatballs in batches until they finish or save some to freeze.