Mediterranean

Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Charred Pepper Relish

Juicy, cumin-spiked lamb kebabs kissed by smoke, paired with a sweet-tangy relish of blistered peppers and red wine vinegar.

Time
40 min
Servings
4
Level
Intermediate
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Original Olivi recipe · nutrition calculated per serving

Ingredients

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4servings

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Instructions

8 steps · tick them off as you cook
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, toast 1 tbsp cumin seeds and 1 tsp coriander seeds until fragrant, about 90 seconds, then crush in a mortar.

  2. In a bowl, combine 1.5 lb ground lamb, the toasted spices, 1 grated small onion (squeezed dry), 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp tomato paste; knead 2 minutes until tacky.

    2 minutes
  3. Cover and chill 30 minutes so the fat firms up for easier shaping.

    30 minutes
  4. Divide into 8 portions and mould each around a flat metal skewer into a 5-inch log, pressing firmly.

  5. Meanwhile, char 2 red bell peppers directly over a flame or under the broiler until blackened, then steam in a covered bowl for 10 minutes and peel.

    10 minutes
  6. Dice the peppers and toss with 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of salt to make the relish.

  7. Preheat a grill to high (450°F / 230°C) and grill the kebabs 3 minutes per side, turning once, until browned outside and just pink within (internal 145°F / 63°C).

    3 minutes
  8. Rest 5 minutes, then serve topped with the pepper relish and a sprinkle of parsley.

    5 minutes

Chef's tip

Kneading the lamb for a full 2 minutes develops the myosin proteins that bind the meat to the skewer — skip this step and the kebabs will fall apart on the grill.

Suggested pairing

Pair with saffron rice, warm flatbread, and a bold glass of Syrah or Nero d'Avola.

About this recipe

Juicy, cumin-spiked lamb kebabs kissed by smoke, paired with a sweet-tangy relish of blistered peppers and red wine vinegar.

MediterraneanIntermediatesmokyhigh-proteinspicysummer

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