Name: Mela Indian’s lamb seekh kebabs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min

“I’d love the recipe for Mela Indian’s lamb seekh kebabs.” – Glen Zhang, Como, WA

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Ingredients

1.2 kg minced lean lamb

2 onions, very finely chopped

1 tbsp finely grated ginger

1 tbsp finely chopped garlic

½ cup finely chopped mint

½ cup finely chopped coriander

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp mild paprika

1 tsp chilli powder, or to taste

60 ml vegetable oil (¼ cup)

Naan bread, melted butter and nigella seeds, to serve

Chaat masala (see note), mint leaves and lemon wedges, to serve

Chilli paste

½ cup dried Kashmiri chillies, halved lengthways, seeds removed, soaked in ¾ cup cold water until softened (1-2 hours; see note) (15gm)

1 small garlic clove

3 tsp vegetable oil

Raita

1 cup plain yoghurt (280gm)

1 tsp cumin seeds, coarsely ground with a mortar and pestle

1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber

Method

Main

1.For chilli paste, drain chillies, transfer to a small blender, add garlic and oil and process, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Makes 60ml (¼ cup) and will keep refrigerated for 2 days, or can be frozen for 6 months.

2.Combine 1 tbsp chilli paste, lamb, onion, ginger, garlic, herbs, spices and 2 tsp fine salt in a large bowl. Knead well by hand until combined and mixture has firmed up. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to marinate (2-3 hours). If using wooden skewers, soak 12 skewers in water.

3.For raita, mix yoghurt, cumin and a pinch of salt in a bowl and refrigerate until required. Fold in cucumber just before serving.

4.Heat barbecue or grill to medium-high. Mould ½ cup lamb mixture around each skewer to form a sausage shape. Transfer to a tray and brush generously with oil. Grill kebabs, turning regularly, until just cooked through (6-8 minutes).

5.Brush naan bread with melted butter and scatter with nigella seeds. Scatter kebabs with chaat masala and mint, and serve with lemon wedges, raita and naan bread.

Chaat masala, a spice blend, and Kashmiri chillies are available from Indian food stores and Herbie’s Spices (herbies.com.au). Mela’s chefs use a mix of dried chillies, including Kashmiri, for the chilli paste.
Notes

Mela Indian

Recipe / styling by Lisa Featherby

Ingredients

Method

Main

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