Make Ahead

Lamb Kebabs with Mint Chutney

by:
August 11, 2010
6 Reviews
Lamb Kebabs with Mint Chutney
Author Notes

This is one of my favorite recipes for lamb kebabs - it's quick, simple and delicious. Minced lamb is mixed with fragrant spices and cashewnuts and then baked till cooked but still moist. This is traditionally done on skewers in a tandoor, but in the absence of both I make it in the form of meatballs in the oven. It is best served hot as an appetizer with a mint and yogurt chutney, thinly sliced onions and lemon wedges, but I also love the leftovers for lunch in a wrap with some lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, onions and tzatziki. - Heena —Heena

Test Kitchen Notes

Heena's tangy mint chuntney was the perfect accompaniment to these moist lamb meatballs, flavored with a bounty of warming Indian spices. Grinding all of the ingredients in the food processor helps save time—and makes less of a mess!. Keep your eye on the meatballs while they're cooking, though; ours took closer to 25-30 minutes. - Lauren —The Editors

  • Serves 20 meatballs
Ingredients
  • Lamb Kebabs
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 2 ounces cashewnuts
  • 1/2 tablespoon crushed garlic
  • 1/2 tablespoon crushed ginger
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon yogurt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon mace
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder
  • salt, to taste
  • Mint Chutney
  • 2/3 cup packed fresh mint leaves
  • 1/3 cup packed frsh cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala or black salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, whisked
  • Salt, to taste
In This Recipe
Directions
  1. Lamb Kebabs
  2. Preheat the oven to 400?F (200?C).
  3. Place all the ingredients in the order given in a food processor and process until well mixed. (The cashewnuts will still be in pieces - I happen to like this. If you want it mixed completely, process it to a paste first before adding the other ingredients.)
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and mix gently with your hands. Form into 20 medium sized balls and place on a baking sheet. (Alternatively apply the mixture to skewers with moist hands.)
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 mins until cooked but still moist, turning over the kebabs once or twice with a fork or tongs. Serve hot with mint chutney, thinly sliced onions and lemon wedges. Leftovers are great for lunch in a wrap with lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, onions and tzatziki.
  1. Mint Chutney
  2. Place all the ingredients except the yogurt and salt in a processor and grind to a fine paste.
  3. Add the paste to the yogurt and mix well. Season with salt.
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