Recipes MASALA LAMB KEBABS WITH TAMARIND CHUTNEY2

MASALA LAMB KEBABS WITH TAMARIND CHUTNEY2

Prep 1 hr + 15 mins
Cooking 25-30 mins
Serves 2-4

I have to be honest and say that I was a little hesitant about this one for two reasons…good quality lamb really doesn’t need too strong a favour companion because the meat itself tells its own story on the tongue. And, Garam Masala is traditionally a spice blend that is deeply flavourful, but essentially means “heat”…apparently not the fiery kind, but rather a quietly comforting, growing warmth within the belly. It is also commonly added towards the end of the cooking, which was going to prove tricky with what I originally had in mind for this dish.

But onwards and upwards, and it turns out that the delicate combination of flavours, rounded off by a complex yet delicious spice blend, sticky tart chutney and a sizzling hot griddle pan – and here we have an exotic dish with a hint of magic!

It is said that almost every family in Southern India has its own treasured secret Garam Masala recipe. Typically a blend of highly aromatic and flavoursome spices, the blend is used extensively in Indian cuisine – but it proves versatile and forgiving. The Cape Herb & Spice Garam Masala Curry Seasoning - part of a range of three – is robustly fragrant, inspiring the exotic flavours of India into your kitchen. Therein lies its’ forgiveness, because it’s hard for this sophisticated spice blend not to transport you.

Here goes…

- WHAT YOU WILL NEED -

  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • fresh ginger
  • splash of water
  • 2 Tbsp canola oil
  • 2 medium red onions
  • 2 green chillis, whole
  • 1 tsp tamarind paste
  • FOR THE TAMARIND CHUTNEY
  • 2 small tomatoes, blitzed
  • 2 heaped tsp tamarind paste
  • 1 heaped Tbsp Cape Herb & Spice GARAM MASALA
  • 1 flat teaspoon cumin seeds, roasted and ground
  • 4/ approx. 750g organic lamb leg steaks, cubed
  • 70g Water
  • Thick wooden skewer sticks
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • Coriander, finely chopped
  • 4-6 fresh mint leaves, shredded
  • Cape Herb & Spice TALL PINK HIMALAYAN SALT GRINDER
  • salt and pepper to taste

- METHOD -

Thread your cubed pieces of lamb, interspersed with red onion chunks, onto wooden skewer sticks dipped in water to aid a smooth 'stab'. Coursely crush your remaining flavour ingredients and paste thickly over the kebabs. Allow to marinade for an hour before griddling in a hot pan - turning frequantly to avoid burning. 

For the tamarind chutney - bring to a slow boil and gently simmer on the stove top for 15 minutes. Allow to cool and decant into a mason jar for safe keeping in the fridge.

Serve your kebabs immediately on a bed of fresh corainder, with your sticky tamarind chutney on the side. 

Recipe concept, styling and photography by: Nancy Hoepner | www.heartistry-cpt.co.za  

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