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Epicurious

Cumin-Chile Lamb Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt

Image may contain Food Food Presentation Meat and Pork
Photo by Ted Cavanaugh

A perfect cube is not essential, but try to get the lamb into roughly the same size pieces so they cook at the same rate.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

For the garlic yogurt:

1

garlic clove, grated

1

/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1

tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1

cup plain Greek yogurt

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

For the lamb and assembly:

2

tablespoons cumin seeds

1

tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns or 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

2

teaspoons caraway seeds

2

teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1

teaspoon sugar

Vegetable oil (for grill)

1

1/4 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt, freshly cracked pepper

Finely grated lemon zest (for serving)

Special Equipment

A spice mill or a mortar and pestle; 8 (8–12-inch-long) metal skewers

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make the garlic yogurt:

    Step 1

    Stir garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice into yogurt in a small bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper.

  2. Make the lamb kebabs:

    Step 2

    Coarsely grind cumin seeds, peppercorns, caraway seeds, red pepper flakes, and sugar in spice mill or with mortar and pestle until only a few whole spices remain.

    Step 3

    Prepare a grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Oil grates. Thread lamb onto 6–8 skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece of meat. Season with salt, then sprinkle generously with spice blend, pressing it onto the meat with your hands to help it adhere if needed.

    Step 4

    Grill lamb over direct heat, turning every minute or so, until browned and beginning to char in spots, about 4 minutes. Move to cooler side of grill and continue to grill until lamb is cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes longer for medium-rare.

    Step 5

    Top garlic yogurt with cracked black pepper and a little lemon zest. Serve alongside lamb.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 6

    Yogurt can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
    Spice blend can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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