Crispy Spiced Lamb and Creamy Yogurt Pasta

Directions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until tender and golden, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Mix together cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and Aleppo in a small bowl. Push onions to one side and add spice mix (adding a little more oil if the pan is dry). Toast spices for about 30 seconds, then stir together the spices and the onions until well integrated.
2. Add lamb, tomato paste, pine nuts, raisins, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook and stir for another 6 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Tilt the skillet and spoon off any excess fat (leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan), then spread the lamb in an even layer, and continue to cook, pressing down firmly and stirring just once or twice, until the lamb is brown and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes. (Turn down the heat if the lamb starts to burn.) Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Meanwhile, add pasta to a large pot of boiling salted water and cook until al dente. As the pasta cooks, mix together Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the pasta water until smooth. In the last three minutes of cooking time, add frozen peas to the pasta. Drain the pasta and peas (reserving another 1/4 cup of water), return to the pot, and toss with yogurt mixture and parsley. Add more cooking water, if needed, to reach your desired consistency. Add salt to taste, and a little more lemon juice if desired.
4. Put yogurt pasta in a large serving dish. For best texture and presentation, I like to gently fold a few spoonfuls of the crispy lamb into the pasta (don’t thoroughly mix) and then top the pasta with the remaining lamb. Serve warm.