Cheese-Stuffed Kebabs with Tomato-Onion Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 kilo finely ground minced meat
• 3 medium onions
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 medium tablespoon seven-spice mix
• a pinch of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, optional
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• a pinch of black pepper
• a pinch of hot pepper, as desired
• salt, to taste
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 bay leaves

Method

1. Finely chop one onion and add it to the meat with the garlic powder, ground cumin, seven-spice mix, cinnamon, flour, oil and soy sauce.
2. Knead the ingredients well to obtain a homogeneous, cohesive kebab meat.
3. Form the kebab into medium-sized balls, make a cavity in the center of each and fill with mozzarella cheese; carefully seal to form round patties.
4. Place the kebabs in an oven-proof pan with onion slices and the sauce made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, black and hot pepper, salt, a cup of water and seasonings.
5. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven until the kebabs are cooked.
6. Serve the cheese-stuffed kebabs with white rice or saffron rice.