Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course

Earthy spiced koftas and a lemony sesame dressing from Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course

Makes about 20 koftas

• 200g spinach
• Olive oil, for frying
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 2 x 420g tins chickpeas, drained
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp chickpea (gram) flour, plus extra for dusting
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the dressing

• 150g natural yoghurt
• 1–2 tbsp tahini paste, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• Olive oil (optional)

1. Wash the spinach, then place in a medium-hot oiled pan and stir until wilted. Drain thoroughly, squeezing out any excess water, then finely chop.

2. Toast the cumin seeds in a dry hot pan for about 1 minute until aromatic and golden, then grind in a mortar with a pestle.

3. Place the chickpeas, cumin and spices, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper, in a blender and blitz to a fine paste. (If the mixture looks too dry to hold together, add 2–3 tablespoons of water and blitz again.) Add the spinach, sprinkle in the flour and mix well to combine.

4. Dust your hands with flour, then take a tablespoon of the mixture and mould it into an egg shape. (If this is too tricky, simply roll it into a ball.) Repeat until all the mixture has been used, then place on a plate or tray dusted with flour. Chill for at least 1 hour until you are ready to cook.

5. Preheat the oven to 120°C/gas mark ½. Heat some oil in a pan and shallow-fry the koftas in batches over a medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden brown on all sides and hot all the way through. Drain after frying, and keep them warm in the oven.

6. Combine all the dressing ingredients and season to taste. Add a little olive oil if you want a looser consistency.

7. Serve the koftas warm with the dressing on the side.