Friday, October 1, 2010

Lamb Khebabs


Earlier in the year I needed lamb for South African Bobotie and my local premium meet shop ground a whole leg for me. That meant some portioned packages for the freezer. What a burden!!!

I have enjoyed a ground lamb khebab in the middle-eastern style a few times in my life. Not having worked with lamb at home but three times now I had never made them. I suspected they wouldn't be hard, but would they taste good? Yup!

Here is the recipe I used:

1 lb lean ground lamb
1/2 cup ground slivered almonds
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
5 medium cloves garlic, freshly minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns, freshly ground
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Mix all ingredients until distributed. Portion into 6 balls and roll each into log form. Thread onto a bamboo or metal skewer. I chose to broil (on high) mine with the broiler pan in the middle of the oven. I turned them once and it took a total of about 15 minutes of cooking time.

A nice conclusion is to say that this is what you should get when you combine quality meat with some fresh local ingredients like onions, garlic and cilantro.

I paired my khebabs with some of the 2009 Ancient Fire Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The spicy, earthy flavors paired well with the onions, garlic and spices and the overall complexity of both the khebabs and the wine played nicely together.

Cheers!

Jason

5 comments:

Island Vittles said...

I love lamb khebabs! What time is dinner? Theresa

Emily Malloy said...

Yum!

I can't help but to think of Flight of the Conchords every time I hear or see a khebab! :)

Kate said...

We buy lamb patties at the farmer's market. This will be perfect with some of them - THANKS :-) Kate

Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet said...

I have never made these before - now I am inpsired! Love the pairing of Chateauneuf-du-Pape - what a perfect match! Cheers!

Spice Sherpa said...

Oh these look good! I love the idea of lamb. I just got back from Montreal and purchased a spice blend called "Silk Road." The merchant suggested lamb to which I have virtually no experience cooking with it. I'm going to try your recipe. Part your way and try the blend I purchased. BTW-I know you've been to Montreal. I went to Marche Jean-Talone. Been there?