Kofta Kabobs for Guy’s Grocery Games were just one of the ‘winning’ dishes I prepared, sharing a favorite ground lamb and spice on a kabob stick recipe!
My Guy’s Grocery Games Adventure
Landing just outside the sun-drenched vineyards of Santa Rosa, California, I could hardly believe I was about to step into the world of Guy’s Grocery Games. The network put us up in a beautiful hotel surrounded by rolling hills and wine country charm, it felt like the calm before the culinary storm.
Then came Halloween morning, talk about a twist! As I arrived on set, the entire camera crew was decked out in full costume: ghouls, superheroes, and a few mischievous skeletons darting between the aisles of Flavortown Market. The energy was electric, playful, and completely contagious.
Filming Season 22, Episode 24 was nothing short of exhilarating. Every round pushed my creativity and focus to the limit, racing the clock, grabbing mystery ingredients, and trying to channel both instinct and imagination in every dish. The adrenaline never stopped pumping.
Winning Guy’s Grocery Games
And when that final moment came, when Guy called my name as the winner, it felt surreal. All the nerves, laughter, and heart I’d poured into that kitchen came rushing back in one joyful, unforgettable instant.
Walking out of Flavortown a champion, on Halloween of all days, felt like pure magic. But wait, I can’t leave out the best part! The dishes I created for this iconic television personality, and what a character he is. Guy is every bit as down-to-earth and genuine in person as he is on your TV screen.
Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games
While competing on (Link here>) FOOD NETWORK’S GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, we were asked to prepare a meal that speaks of your family, something they typically like.
Since I am from a Mediterranean heritage (Syrian), lamb is often served when we have a family gathering.
But, on GGG we are given only 30 minutes to shop, cook and plate! So, it was a no brainer, Lamb Kofta Kabobs were going to be on my plate!
What Kofta Kabobs?
The word Kofta, Kafta, or Kefta is really all the same thing, depending on what parts of the Middle East and the Mediterranean they are from.
In short, they are mini-meatloaves or meatballs! Street Food! Nothing says ‘street food’ better than food on a stick; which by the way is one of my favorite ways to serve ‘kid food’.
Mediterranean Kofta Kabobs
Koftas are really just giant meatballs, ground meat rolled into a sausage shape and cooked either with or without a skewer stick in the center.
When having a large gathering of family and friends, nothing could be easier to prepare a day or two in advance, then cooked on the grill or in a hot oven.
Kids love them just as is on a stick, while adults will often appreciate a good flat bread with toppings, or over a bed of rice pilaf.
Tips For Forming Kofta
The trick in getting this ground meat mixture to stay on a stick is to puree the meat and Mediterranean spice mixture, into a paste-like consistency.
You can also knead the mixture really well, as you would knead bread.
I did neither while on camera, thus you will see they fell apart. Never again! How embarrassing on national TV, even though I won. (wink)
In my defense, while having an amazing blast on Grandma Grocery Games with Guy Fieri and his mom Penny, we had a crazy challenge.
When asked to prepare a favorite meal that speaks of family, to us; we had to choose two (of several), ingredients that were going to be scattered throughout Flavortown grocery store.
Flavortown And My Kofta Kabobs
Flavortown, for those who may not know, first came to life on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri’s first program.
On camera he once said, ‘This pizza looks like a manhole cover in Flavortown’. So, he takes iconic food items, and gives them iconic food moments.
This day, in his grocery, on camera, along with three other wildly fun grandmas, he posed an iconic food item challenge for us to turn it into an iconic food moment!
Family Favorites On Guy’s Grocery Games
I already knew, the moment he asked us to cook something that speaks of our family, that I would do something traditional with lamb, a recipe of ground meat that has become known worldwide.
But then when he gave us e challenge to have to incorporate 2 other weird, ‘iconic ingredients’, we all froze for a moment.
Tapioca pudding, Prunes, Bran flakes, cookies of some sort, and a few other items, were some of our choices. I chose prunes and bran flakes.
I used the bran flakes in place of bread/panko crumbs, and I knew dried fruit pairs well with lamb. So… those two ingredients are what went into my Kofta Kabobs.
Guy’s Grocery Games Humorous Ingredients
Prunes and Bran Flakes in my Kofta? Note, that you will never see those two ingredients in my kabobs again!
Here is what went wrong; prunes are a fruit sugar, a plum, that when dried, becomes a very sugary, deliciously sweet, new version of its original form.
When stewing lamb, such as in a Tagine, which is a flavor-filled mix of meat, poultry, fish or simply vegetables and legumes, cooked slow in a clay pot, with lots of fresh herbs and dried fruits.
The sugar in a dried fruit actually acts to tenderize meat. But in a ground meat mixture? With hopes to stay on a stick? Ohhhhh how I struggled in those 30-minutes!
Bran Flakes In My Kabobs?
Putting the bran flakes in the blender to grind into almost a flour, was brilliant, even if I say so myself. It helped to bind the mix together.
In thinking back, had I put less prunes, and an extra pound of ground lamb, the Kofta would have been… well, iconic!
In looking back also, I think what saved my dish was the Tzatziki I whipped up fast, to go on top of the kofta kabob.
Also having thrown my pita bread on the grill for a second on both sides, after having brushed it with olive oil, something I wasn’t sure I had time for, but thankfully did.
Cooking Advice From My Son
It had lovely grill marks, a bit of a crunch, so it had texture, and the olive oil gave the bread a golden sheen after grilling it.
I am sure I got an extra point or two for grilling the bread, thanks to my chef son for advising me.
“Ma”, he said, “if you serve any type of sandwich or burger, always get some grill marks on the bread. It adds texture to what might otherwise be considered, boring bread and effortless on your part”! Don’t you just love when your kids teach you things!
Cooking For National TV
Sharing a family favorite on national TV, in a cooking competition, Food Network’s finest – Guy Fieri, was one of the more exciting memories of my life, win or lose, even though winning made it extra special!
I am delighted to share with you the original recipe for lamb kofta kabobs I would normally make for my family, without bran and prunes!
Serving Ideas For Kofta Kabobs
There are so many ways to serve kofta kabobs, though on pita bread with toppings is the best. Here are just a few topping ideas:
- Tzatziki – A cucumber, mint and yogurt mixture. I make this nearly everyday throughout summer and use it on so many dishes. It is a refreshing addition to lamb.
- Tomatoes chopped small with lime, salt and fresh herbs.
- Sweet peppers, chopped into long thin strips and marinated in champagne vinegar, olive oil, salt and some heat (such as ghost chili powder).
- Feta cheese
- Lettuce, shredded into long thin slices.
Crab Cakes For Guy’s Grocery Games
If you watch the video all the way through, you will see that I shared another family favorite while cooking in Flavortown on Guys Grandma Grocery, that truly was a hit; Crab Cakes!
I don’t remember if it was edited into the show but Robert Irvine, who was one tough judge, took a bite and said, “I would put this on any menu across America”!
Once again, a tip shared with me by my son Omar Daumit, the night before the show was being filmed.
Professional Chefs vs Home Cooks
Omar Daumit, my son, is an absolutely incredible chef in his mid-thirties, something my mom predicted nearly 20-years ago he would be.
When he was eleven-years of age, he spent a day with my mother, helping her cook Syrian food for a family reunion we were having.
I cooked some things at my home and she asked if she could have one of the kids to help her that day, since all my kids have been proficient in the kitchen since they were little.
I asked which one (I have four). She said, ‘give me Omar’.
That evening, when I picked him up, she said, ‘that one… that one is going to be your chef”!
When Family Cooking Traditions Go Professional
The Crab Cake recipe I made on television, Omar’s Crab Cake recipe, can be found through the link.
Thank you for sharing in this fabulous fun time with me, one of three (and my favorite), cooking experiences I have had with Food Network!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Lamb – Rich, tender, and naturally juicy, ground lamb is the heart of traditional kofta. Its slightly earthy flavor carries spices beautifully and gives the kabobs their signature succulence. The gentle fat content in lamb ensures the kabobs stay moist and full of depth.
- Onion – Grated or finely minced onion brings moisture and sweetness, helping to tenderize the meat while adding a subtle aromatic base. It also helps bind the mixture, making the kofta juicy instead of dense.
- Garlic – Essential for that deep, savory backbone, garlic sharpens the flavor, infusing each bite with warmth and complexity that complements lamb’s richness perfectly.
- Lemon Juice – A splash of lemon juice brightens everything. Its acidity balances the richness of the lamb and wakes up the spices, giving the kofta a lively, fresh finish.
- Oregano – Earthy and slightly minty, oregano adds a Mediterranean flair, harmonizing beautifully with lamb and giving the kofta a rustic herbal note.
- Sumac – This tangy, ruby-red spice adds a pop of citrusy brightness and color. Sumac is a Middle Eastern secret weapon, it cuts through the richness of the meat and ties all the other spices together.
- Coriander – Warm, nutty, and slightly citrusy, coriander rounds out the flavor profile. It layers in a gentle sweetness that enhances both the aromatics and the savory spices.
- Black Cumin – More pungent and earthy than regular cumin, black cumin adds depth and intrigue, a subtle smokiness that lingers on the palate and gives the kofta that authentic Middle Eastern soul.
- Rosemary – A fragrant touch of rosemary infuses a woodsy, pine-like aroma. It complements the lamb beautifully, adding a Mediterranean note that feels both rustic and refined.
- Salt – Salt draws out the natural juices and amplifies every flavor in the blend. It’s what turns a good kofta into one that sings with flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper – Just a hint of cayenne brings gentle heat that balances the richness of the lamb and gives the kabobs a satisfying little kick without overwhelming the spices.
- Panko Crumbs – Light, airy, and crisp, panko crumbs bind the mixture while keeping the texture soft. Unlike dense breadcrumbs, they help the kofta hold together on the skewer without becoming heavy.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl – Used to combine the ground lamb with all the spices, herbs, and aromatics until evenly blended.
- Food processor – Perfect for finely mincing onion, garlic, and herbs, giving the kofta a smooth, cohesive texture.
- Cutting board – The prep station for chopping fresh ingredients like onions, garlic, and herbs.
- Chopping knife – Essential for finely dicing and mincing ingredients with precision.
- Measuring cup and measuring spoons – Ensures the right proportions of ingredients.
- Kabob sticks/Skewers – Used to shape and hold the kofta mixture together for grilling or pan-searing.
- Griddle or large cast iron pan – Provides an even, high heat surface to sear the kabobs, locking in juices and creating that delicious char.
Kofta Kabobs for Guy’s Grocery Games
Equipment
- Kabob sticks
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 Onion medium
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Fresh Oregano or 1 tbsp dried
- 1 tsp Spices – Sumac, Coriander, Black Cumin or Rosemary
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup Panko crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400
- Place all of the ingredients, except the meat, in a food processor or blender and puree. Then add the meat and pulse until it starts to stick together. Transfer to a large bowl, and knead the mixture, as you would bread, until it begins to form a paste-like texture.
- Divide and roll into balls, the amount you desire to make. Then roll them into long sausage shapes and slide a skewer through the center. (If using wooden skewers, be certain to soak them in water for an hour first so they don’t burn).
- Bake for 20 minutes, then switch to broil and brown the tops for just a few seconds, but watch so they don’t burn. Or grill the Koftas over fire, turning often so they don’t
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.