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1. Rinse the grains, then combine them with the water or broth in a saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender. Fluff with a fork, cover, and keep warm off the heat.
1.2 cup uncooked brown rice or farro,
2.5 cup water or broth
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2. Slice the cucumber into half-moons, halve the tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and keep the spinach or mixed greens ready for assembly.
0.5 piece English cucumber,
1.5 cup grape or cherry tomatoes,
0.2 piece red onion,
3 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
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3. Finely chop half of the fresh parsley and all of the fresh mint. Zest the lemon and squeeze its juice into a bowl. Mix the Greek yogurt with the chopped herbs, lemon zest, some of the lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until smooth, then adjust seasoning and acidity with more lemon juice to taste. Chill until serving.
0.2 cup fresh parsley,
1.2 tsp salt,
0.5 tsp black pepper,
1.5 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%),
1 piece lemon,
0.2 cup fresh mint,
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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4. Finely grate or mince the yellow onion and garlic, then squeeze out excess liquid from the onion. In a bowl combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, remaining chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, remaining salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, and mix just until evenly combined.
1 lb ground beef (90% lean),
0.5 piece yellow onion,
3 clove garlic clove,
0.5 cup fresh parsley,
2 tsp ground cumin,
1 tsp ground coriander,
1 tsp smoked paprika,
0.2 tsp ground cinnamon,
0.2 tsp ground allspice,
1.2 tsp salt,
0.5 tsp black pepper,
0.2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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5. With lightly oiled hands, divide the mixture into equal portions and shape into small oval logs or flattened cylinders, arranging them on a lightly oiled broiler-safe sheet pan with a bit of space between each piece.
1 lb ground beef (90% lean),
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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6. Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler on high. Broil the koftas until browned on top, then flip and broil the second side until the centers are just cooked through but still juicy. Rest briefly on the pan.
1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
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7. Divide the warm grains among serving bowls, top with spinach or mixed greens, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion, then nestle koftas on top. Spoon herby yogurt over or alongside, drizzle with remaining olive oil, sprinkle with sumac if using, and add extra Greek yogurt on the side if desired.
1 lb ground beef (90% lean),
1.5 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%),
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil,
1.2 cup uncooked brown rice or farro,
0.5 piece English cucumber,
1.5 cup grape or cherry tomatoes,
0.2 piece red onion,
3 cup baby spinach or mixed greens,
0.5 tsp ground sumac (optional),
0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt (for serving, optional extra)
