“What Can You Do With a Pound of Mince?” — Greek Koftas with Lemon Roast Potatoes & Cucumber Salad

Kitchen Confidence Bonus Recipe

This is the kind of dinner I love because it feels like you made an effort… but it’s actually simple, fast, and built on smart technique.

We’re taking a pound of mince and turning it into Greek-style koftas — lemony, herby, properly seasoned — then pairing them with lemon roast potatoes done in the Ninja Air Fryer for crisp edges and fluffy centres.

The fresh element is a mixed lettuce + cucumber salad dressed with lemon, and the finish is the hero: a cucumber–basil yoghurt dressing spooned over the koftas so the whole plate stays bright and balanced.

Recipe

Serves: 2 - 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Equipment: Ninja (Air Fry mode)

Ingredients

Greek Koftas

• 500g pork mince (or lamb/beef mince if you prefer)
• 1 small Spanish onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 egg
• ½ cup panko crumbs
• 2 tsp Spice Lab Greek Souvlaki Zest (or your go-to Greek blend)
• Olsson Sea Salt, to taste
• Spice Lab Mélange Peppercorns, to taste
• Olive oil (light brush/spray)

Lemon Roast Potatoes (Ninja - Air Fry)

• 600–700g baby/chat potatoes, halved
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Spice Lab Greek Souvlaki Zest
• Olsson Sea Salt + pepper, to taste

Mixed Lettuce & Cucumber Salad

• 1 cup mixed lettuce leaves
• ½ de-seeded Lebanese cucumber, sliced
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 80–100g feta, crumbled (optional)

Cucumber–Basil Yoghurt Dressing (to spoon over koftas)

• 150g Greek yoghurt
• Diced cucumber
• Juice ½ lemon
• Finely chopped basil
• Pinch of Olsson salt
• Spice Lab Mélange Peppercorns, to taste

Method / Instructions

1) Lemon Roast Potatoes — Ninja Air Fry Mode

1. Toss halved potatoes with olive oil, Greek spice blend, salt and pepper.
2. Preheat Ninja on Air Fry (200°C).
3. Air fry potatoes 18–22 minutes, shaking/turning halfway, until golden and tender.
4. While hot, toss with lemon juice to finish (this keeps the lemon bright and stops it burning in the air fryer).

2) Mix the Koftas

1. In a bowl combine mince, finely diced onion, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, egg, panko, Greek spice blend, salt and pepper.
2. Mix just until combined (don’t overwork it).
3. Rest the mix 10 minutes (firms up and shapes better).

3) Shape + Cook Koftas — Ninja Air Fry Mode

1. Shape into 8–10 koftas (short logs).
2. Lightly oil/spray the Ninja basket/base. Arrange koftas with space between.
3. Lightly brush/spray koftas with olive oil.
4. Air fry at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
   • Pork safety target: 71°C internal if using a thermometer.
5. Rest 3–5 minutes before plating.

4) Salad (lemon only) + Dressing

Salad: Toss lettuce + cucumber with lemon juice (and feta if using).
Dressing: Mix yoghurt + diced cucumber + basil + lemon juice + salt + pepper. Let sit 5 minutes to meld.

Plating / Serving Notes

• Plate salad first, then add the lemon potatoes.
• Sit the koftas leaning against the potatoes.
• Spoon the cucumber–basil yoghurt dressing over the koftas (not under the salad).
• Finish with extra cracked pepper and a lemon wedge if you like.

Chef Tips / Skills Video Ideas (2–3 min)

• Don’t overmix mince: Overworking makes koftas tight — mix and stop.
• Onion dice matters: The finer the dice, the better the bind and texture.
• Air fryer rules: Space between koftas = colour + juiciness (hot air needs room).
• Lemon last on potatoes: Tossing lemon through at the end keeps it fresh and punchy.

Optional Variations / Make-Ahead Hack

• Make it lamb: Swap pork for lamb and add a pinch more peppercorns.
• Add feta inside: Press a small cube into the centre before shaping.
• Make-ahead: Shape koftas up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate.
• Freezer: Freeze raw koftas flat, then bag. Thaw overnight before air frying.

Skill Focus / Techniques

• Seasoning mince with acid + herb + spice for “Greek” flavour
• Air-frying for browning without pan mess
• Finishing with a fresh dressing to balance rich, hot components

Food Safety Tip

Cook pork koftas to 71°C internal. Cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours.

Final Thought from Chef Ian

This is what a pound of mince is made for — a simple base ingredient turned into something that feels fresh, modern, and a bit special. Crisp potatoes, juicy koftas, lemony salad, yoghurt on top… it’s balanced, satisfying, and honestly the kind of meal you’ll repeat.

Chef Ian