Ainsley BBQ Challenge Recipe #1 - Fragrant Beef Koftas with Raita

A few weeks ago, we received a fabulous hamper full of goodies to rustle up a barbecue feast, using a selection of products from Ainsley's Cous Cous range. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't playing ball but today, I managed to cook up the first of the BBQ Challenge recipes ... admittedly not on a barbecue !

The recipe is below, if you'd like to try it too :

Fragrant Beef Koftas with Raita

Serves: 2

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 x 100g sachet of Ainsley Harriott Moroccan Medley Cous Cous

350g (12oz) lean minced beef

4 spring onions (finely chopped)

10ml (2 tsp) garam masala

½ tsp ground cumin

120ml (8 tbsp) thick Greek yoghurt

5cm (2in) piece of cucumber (grated and with excess water squeezed out)

1 ripe tomato (finely chopped)

1 garlic clove (crushed)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

STEP 1

Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 20 minutes.

STEP 2

Mix together the minced beef, spring onions, garam masala, cumin and 30ml (2 tbsp) of the Greek yoghurt. (I used low fat crème fraîche instead because it's what was in the fridge.) Season to taste.

STEP 3

Roll into 6 pieces, each about 7.5cm/3 inches long. Push each one on to a 15cm/6inch bamboo skewer which have been soaked in water. (As I was making this inside rather than on a barbecue, I made them as burgers rather than using skewers, just to make it more simple.)

STEP 4

Meanwhile, make the Ainsley Harriott Moroccan Medley Cous Cous according to the instructions on the sachet and keep warm. (I used Spice Sensation because naughty Madhouse Daddy Mike had already eaten the Moroccan Medley one when I was at work earlier in the week !)

STEP 5

To make the raita, mix the remaining Greek yoghurt in a bowl with the cucumber, tomato, garlic and seasoning.

STEP 6

Pre-heat the grill to its hottest setting. Cook the beef koftas for 10-12 minutes on the grill rack, turning occasionally until nicely browned and cooked through. (I did mine in a frying pan.)

STEP 7

Divide the Ainsley Harriott Moroccan Medley Cous Cous between two plates and arrange the beef koftas on top. Drizzle over the raita before serving.

Verdict - very nice indeed, even when cooked in a frying pan - I'm sure cooking these on a barbecue would give them a really lovely smoky flavour though. The raita is a fabulous lower fat alternative to my normal homemade coleslaw and the cous cous goes with it really well.

Definitely one to try again and I've decided to choose this post to link up to the Foodie Foto Friday over on The Crazy Kitchen blog. (Click on the badge below to join in.)

for more information : www.ainsley-harriott.com

Disclosure : I received a lovely BBQ Challenge hamper including a selection of Ainsley Harriott Cous Cous products in order to try out the suggested recipes and write an honest review.

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Ainsley Harriott World Kitchen Couscous review

#AinsleyBBQ Challenge Hamper

Ainsley Harriott World Kitchen Lentil Dahl review