Middle Eastern Cuisine is known for its rich flavors, and unique spices. Perhaps the most common diches include Hummus and Falafel as featured at the Hummus Blog, both made from chickpeas, as described in detail at Humus 101 (2015). Another major staple in Middle Eastern foods, however is lamb. One popular and well spiced lamb dish is Kofta Kebabs These kababs are made with six different spices, giving them a rich and distinct smell, and deep flavor that hits every area of the pallet. They are among the fastest, easiest, most unforgettable lamb dishes I have ever tried, and can be made in advance for rapid cooking.
Preparation: 45 min. Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 1 h 20 m or less
Serve with flat bread, fresh vegetables, like cucumber, or a thick yogurt"
Ingredients
8 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. sea salt
2 lb. ground lamb
¼ cup onion, grated
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2. T. coriander, ground
2 t. ground cumin
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. Allspice
½ t. cayenne pepper, ground
½ t. of fresh ginger, grated or ground
½ t. black pepper
40 to 60 skewers, bamboo preferred for flame resistance
Directions
Set the skewers to soak for at least 30 minutes.
Mash the minced garlic into a paste, with a mortar and pestle, the side of a knife, or a press. This paste can have some small chunks but needs to be largely smooth.
Mix the paste with the coriander, cumin, allspice, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, parsley, and onion.
Mix the spice paste into the lamb until evenly blended.
Using your hands, form approximately 45 to 60 balls from the mixture. It may be wise to wear rubber gloves during this process to prevent the spices from burning any cuts or sores on your hands.
Slide each ball onto the end of a skewer, and flatten, or stretch the ball down the length of the skewer to create a cylinder or hot dog shape around the skewer.
Set the Kebabs onto a baking sheet, and let set in the refrigerator a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours. The longer the kebab sits the more the meet will cure and take on the flavors of the spices.
When prepared to cook, preheat a grill to medium heat, and coat the grate with non-stick cooking spray. Cook over medium heat until the meat reaches the preferred level, from rare to well-done. Recommended level is medium, which is typically reached at about 6 minutes on the grill.
Ashton tried this recipe and tweeted: Super Awesome #kabobtime #chillinandgrillin
Galili, S. (2015). Real Hummus Recipe. Hummus 101. The Hummus Blog. Retrieved from http://humus101.com/EN/2015/09/15/hummus-recipe/
Galili, S. (2015). Real Falafel Recipe. Hummus 101. The Hummus Blog. Retrieved from http://humus101.com/EN/2007/03/13/an-easy-falafel-recipe/
American Lambgrowers Association (2016). Lamb 101. Retrieved from http://www.americanlamb.com/lamb-101/
