Chicken Kofta with Hummus and Homemade Flatbread

METHOD

1. Step 1: Make the flatbread dough

   • 240 ml lukewarm water (1 cup)
   • 2 tsp (6 g) active dry yeast
   • 1/2 tsp (2 g) sugar
   • 360 g all-purpose flour (3 cups), divided

   Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Add 60 g (1/2 cup) flour and whisk. Let sit 15 minutes until bubbly.

   • 1–2 tsp (6–12 g) kosher salt
   • 30 ml extra virgin olive oil (2 tbsp)

   Add salt, olive oil, and most of remaining flour. Stir until shaggy. Knead in bowl 1 minute, then on floured surface 2 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest 10 minutes, then knead 2 more minutes. Place dough in oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.

2. Step 2: Prepare the kofta

   • 1½ slices sandwich bread (whole wheat or gluten-free)

   Toast bread until golden. Soak in water until soft, then squeeze dry.

   • 1000 g ground chicken
   • 1 medium onion, grated (about 175 g / ¾ cup)
   • 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
   • 22 g fresh parsley, chopped (¾ cup)
   • 15 g fresh mint, chopped (⅓ cup / about 4–5 tbsp)
   • 2 tsp (6 g) Aleppo pepper
   • 1½ tsp (3 g) ground coriander
   • ¾ tsp (1.5 g) sweet paprika
   • Salt and pepper
   • 1 large egg (or 2 small eggs)
   • Drizzle extra virgin olive oil

   Mix bread, chicken, onion, garlic, herbs, spices, salt, pepper, egg, and olive oil until combined. Form into 11–12 oval patties, 2.5–4 cm (1–1½ inch) thick. Refrigerate 15–20 minutes.

3. Step 3: Cook the flatbreads

   Divide dough into 7–8 balls. Rest 10 minutes. Roll each into 20–23 cm (8–9 inch) circle, 6 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Oven method: Heat oven to 245°C (475°F) with baking sheet inside. Bake flatbreads 2 minutes per side until puffed. Stovetop method: Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high. Cook each flatbread 30 seconds, flip, cook 1–2 minutes, flip again, cook 1–2 minutes until puffed and toasted.

4. Step 4: Grill the kofta

   Oil grill grates and heat to medium-high. Grill kofta 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through.

5. Step 5: Make the salad

   • Tomatoes, diced
   • Cucumber, diced
   • Fresh parsley, chopped
   • Fresh mint, chopped
   • Sumac
   • Lemon juice
   • Extra virgin olive oil
   • Salt

   Combine tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and mint in a bowl. Dress with sumac, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt to taste. Toss gently.

6. Step 6: Assemble

   Take a warm homemade flatbread and spread a generous layer of hummus. Add a handful of the herb salad, then top with 1–2 kofta patties. Serve immediately.