These lamb kebabs from The Saffron Tales by Yasmin Khan are fabulous cooked over hot coals. Ask your butcher for lamb neck, it’s cheap and really tasty. Good served with saffron rice, herby salad and yoghurt with cucumber and mint. They were also good stuffed into some warm flatbreads with a radish and broad bean salad (see pic below).
Wine Suggestion: We chose the Poggio ai Ginepri which is a Cabernet, Syrah & Merlot blend from Bolgheri in Tuscany. The classic Bordeaux blend with the infusion of Syrah creates a balance of power and juiciness that works with the BBQ smokiness and the moist lamb with a good earthy spice that compliments the herbs and spices in the marinade.
Dr Asaf’s Juicy Lamb Kebabs – serves 4
- 4 tbsp natural yoghurt
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¾ tsp sumac, plus extra to garnish
- a generous pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 800g lamb neck fillet, cut into 2.5 cubes
- 4 tomatoes, halved
Mix the yoghurt, onion, garlic, oregano, oil, sumac, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in the lamb pieces until well coated then cover with cling film and leave to marinade in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Don’t skip this as it will make the meat nice and tender.
Preheat the barbecue. Thread the lamb onto metal or wooden skewers (wooden ones need to be soaked for about 20 minutes before using). Cook the lamb kebabs and the tomato halves on the barbecue for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through.
Rest the meat for a few minutes and sprinkle with some more sumac before serving.
(Original recipe from The Saffron Tales by Yasmin Khan, Bloomsbury, 2016.)
[…] perfect cooling accompaniment for barbecued lamb kebabs and Persian rice dishes. The fresh mint can be replaced with fresh […]