Elk ‘Kafta’ with tzatziki and flatbread

Kafta or Kofta is simply a meatball or meatloaf that consists of ground beef or lamb mixed with spices and onion. Grilling the meat on a stick over hot coals is preferred. When I make these, I shape the meat into long patties and place on tinfoil over a gas grill. Now I’ve seen recipes for this using venison as well and figured why not try it with some ground elk. Delicious.

I served these elk patties with homemade tzatzki, grilled vegetables and flatbread. As a side note… the kids also turned these grilled elk patties into hamburgers on hoagie rolls topped with the grilled vegetables and tzatziki.

Ingredients

• • 1 – 1/12 lbs ground elk
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup white onion grated
  • 1/2 cup parsley finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon coriander
  • 1 egg

• salt and pepper
• 8 flatbreads (Naan)
• olive oil

Directions

In a bowl, mix together ground elk, garlic, onion, parsley, red bell pepper, egg, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Cover meat mixture and let marinade in refrigerator for an hour or overnight. Divide the mixture into 8 servings and form each into elongated meat patties. Heat an outdoor grill and cook patties for about 5-6 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until done. Lightly brush both sides of the flatbread with olive oil and place on grill until warmed. Serve with Naan bread, Tzatziki sauce and grilled vegetables.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

• 24oz Greek Plain Yogurt
• 1 or 2 large cucumbers peeled
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/3 cup fresh dill chopped

Peel cucumbers and cut lengthwise in half. Remove center flesh and seeds. Chop cucumbers into small pieces. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix and refrigerate.

Yum