Lamb Kebabs With Pomegranate Cumin Glaze Recipes

LAMB KEBABS WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Steps:

• For the lamb: Bring the lamb to room temperature. If you're going to cook your kebabs on the grill, soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes, so they don't burn. Grab your food processor. You can chop all this by hand too; just make sure to chop it all up very finely. Throw the ginger, garlic, shallots, lemon zest, mint, cilantro and salt into the processor. Grind until very finely chopped. Throw the lamb into a big bowl. Add the shallot mixture, 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, baking soda, garam masala if using and pepper to the meat. Using your hands, knead 2 to 5 minutes until the meat lightens in color, taking on the appearance of knitted fabric. It will also be very sticky. Perfect! Divide the meat in half, then in half again and then half again, until you have 8 mounds. Have a platter ready for your completed kebabs. Drizzle a little oil on the platter so the kebabs don't stick. Have your bamboo skewers standing by. Take one ball of meat and roll it into a short stump. Thread the skewer through it, and then begin shaping the kebab with quick strokes, pulling the meat down. It should be a little over 1/4-inch thick. Roll the kebab between your hands to seal the meat. Repeat. Preheat a griddle over medium heat, drizzling oil over it, so that when it starts to smoke, you'll know it's ready. Meanwhile, mix the juice of half the lemon with the remaining 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses in a small bowl. When it's hot, place the skewers on the grill. Cook about 2 minutes, then turn a quarter of the way. Brush with the lemon-molasses glaze and cook another 2 minutes. Continue in this way until you've cooked the meat 8 to 10 minutes.
• For the raita: Mix the yogurt, mint, cucumber and garlic together. Season with salt and pepper, and serve alongside the kebabs.

LAMB KEBABS WITH POMEGRANATE-CUMIN GLAZE

Steps:

• Heat small skillet over medium heat. Add cumin and stir until aromatic and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Grind cumin in mortar or spice mill. Mix pomegranate molasses, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and cumin in 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add lamb; chill at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Remove lamb from marinade. Thread 1 lamb piece and 1 red pepper piece on each skewer; place on baking sheet. Do ahead Can be made up to 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Sprinkle kebabs with salt and pepper. Cook, turning often, about 4 minutes for medium-rare.

GROUND LAMB KOFTO KEBABS WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE, BENGALI-SPICED POTATOES AND PERSIAN CUCUMBER RAITA

Steps:

• For the raita: Mix the cucumber, mint, garlic, and yogurt together in a large bowl with plenty of salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill.
• For the potatoes: Fill a large pot with cool water and put over high heat. Add the potatoes and a hefty dose of salt. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and push them through a potato ricer. Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the panch puran seasoning. Cook the seasoning blend until fragrant and the spices begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and saute until tender and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the potatoes and flatten them with a spatula, cook about 5 minutes, stirring and flattening a few times, until the bottom gets a little crispy. Season the potatoes with salt, and pepper, to taste, and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the parsley, mint, shallot, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse until finely minced. Add the mixture to a bowl with the ground lamb, baking soda and lots of salt and pepper, to taste. Knead until the mixture turns sticky, looks like a piece of knitted fabric, and holds its shape. Pull off a small ball of meat and shape into a fat cylinder. Thread a skewer through the middle lengthwise, and smooth the meat down the skewer until it's even all the way down. Repeat with rest of the meat mixture. Put the kebabs on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little more oil. Combine the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Light a grill or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Arrange the kebabs on the hot grill, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, generously brushing with the pomegranate mixture. Cook the kebabs until browned, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter and serve with the potatoes and raita on the side.
• For the raita: Mix the cucumber, mint, garlic, and yogurt together in a large bowl with plenty of salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill.
• For the potatoes: Fill a large pot with cool water and put over high heat. Add the potatoes and a hefty dose of salt. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and push them through a potato ricer. Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the panch puran seasoning. Cook the seasoning blend until fragrant and the spices begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and saute until tender and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the potatoes and flatten them with a spatula, cook about 5 minutes, stirring and flattening a few times, until the bottom gets a little crispy. Season the potatoes with salt, and pepper, to taste, and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the parsley, mint, shallot, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse until finely minced. Add the mixture to a bowl with the ground lamb, baking soda and lots of salt and pepper, to taste. Knead until the mixture turns sticky, looks like a piece of knitted fabric, and holds its shape. Pull off a small ball of meat and shape into a fat cylinder. Thread a skewer through the middle lengthwise, and smooth the meat down the skewer until it's even all the way down. Repeat with rest of the meat mixture. Put the kebabs on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little more oil. Combine the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Light a grill or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Arrange the kebabs on the hot grill, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, generously brushing with the pomegranate mixture. Cook the kebabs until browned, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter and serve with the potatoes and raita on the side.

GRILLED LAMB KEBABS WITH CUMIN AND CINNAMON

Steps:

• Whisk oil, cumin, pepper, salt and cinnamon in 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish.
• Add lamb to dish and toss to coat well with oil mixture.
• Let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerat 1 1/2 to 4 hours, tossing occasionally.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat) or prehat broiler.
• Thread lamb pieces onto skewers, dividing equally (about 5 pieces per skewer).
• Grill or broil lamb to desired doneness, turning occasionally, about 6 minutes for medium-rare.

KEBAB-E TORSH (LAMB KEBABS IN A POMEGRANATE WALNUT MARINADE)

Steps:

• Special equipment: 4 skewers.
• Serving suggestion: flatbread, grilled tomatoes, sliced raw onion, rice and sumac.
• Place the beef in a large casserole dish. Combine the walnuts, pomegranate syrup, olive oil and garlic in a food processor and grind into a thick puree. Add the parsley and pulse into small bits. Pour the marinade over the meat and toss well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut the marinated meat into small chunks, and thread 3 to 4 pieces onto the skewers, 1/4-inch apart. Brush or wipe the excess marinade from the skewers, and discard the marinade. Turn the grill on high heat. While it heats up, leave the meat out so it can come up to room temperature (no more than 45 minutes total). Lightly oil the hot grill, and grill the kebabs for 6 to 7 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle the kebabs with fine salt and freshly ground black pepper as they cook. The meat should be slightly charred on the outside and very pink on the inside when it is finished. Serve with flatbread, grilled tomatoes, sliced raw onion, rice and sumac.

ROAST LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Place a roasting pan in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. To make the glaze: combine all ingredients except lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and strain. Stir in the lemon juice.
• To make the lamb: rub the lamb with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in the pan, fatty side down, and roast for 10 minutes. Baste with glaze, turn over and baste the other side. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted reads 125 degrees. Let stand several minutes before slicing. Serve with extra glaze.