Uighur Lamb Kebabs

Name: Uighur Lamb Kebabs
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless lamb leg or shoulder; 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, or substitute 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic; 3/4 teaspoon cayenne

Lamb Kebabs Chinese Skewering Pomegranates Skewers Party Planning Main Dish

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4 to 6 servings

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Ingredients (9)

1 pound boneless lamb leg or shoulder

Marinade:

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup pomegranate juice, or substitute 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
3/4 teaspoon cayenne

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Nutritional Information

Calories364
Fat23.47g
Saturated fat7.53g
Trans fat0.05g
Carbs16.34g
Fiber0.75g
Sugar13.7g
Protein21.48g
Cholesterol77.11mg
Sodium380.14mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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The Uighur people of Xinjiang speak a Turkic language, and the connection with other Turkic peoples comes through clearly with the food as well. Because of the pomegranate juice, these marinated lamb kebabs have a tart-edged garlicky taste that could almost have come straight from Istanbul. The meat is very succulent, and the grilling straightforward. If you have any left over, it is as tasty as can be the second day.

Serve with flatbreads or rice or noodles, accompanied by a salsa and one or more salads.

from: Beyond the Great Wall By Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid

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Tips for Lamb

Tip

How to Pick Lamb

Lamb is readily available in most supermarkets. The freshest lamb will have soft pink and red flesh with marbling throughout. Avoid anything that looks grey in color.

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Next: How to Freeze Lamb

Tip

How to Freeze Lamb

Wrap the lamb in it in its original packaging, airtight, with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. From there, you can also place the meat in an airtight freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Chops and loins fare best when wrapped individually.

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Next: How to Thaw Lamb

Tip

How to Thaw Lamb

Lamb can be defrosted in three ways. As with most meat, refrigeration is the most effective, albeit slowest method. Lamb meat defrosted in the fridge can actually be re-frozen before or after cooking, though there may be a loss of moisture. If you're in a pinch, lamb can be defrosted in the microwave, or placed in a bowl of cold water (which should be replaced every 30 minutes).

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Next: How to Pick Lamb

Instructions

1Cut the lamb into small pieces, approximately 1 inch square, leaving on a little fat. Set aside.
2Process the onion to a paste in a food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the remaining marinade ingredients. Add the lamb pieces and stir so they are all coated with marinade. Cover and let sit for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
3Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill. If using bamboo skewers, soak 8 skewers in water for 30 minutes.
4Thread the pieces of meat onto 8 bamboo or metal skewers (the latter are used in the photograph). Don’t crowd them; the pieces of meat should barely touch one another.
5Place the skewers on the hot grill, about 4 to 5 inches from the coals. Grill for 2 minutes on the first side, then turn. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes more, turning periodically to ensure good color and even cooking. Cooking times will vary somewhat depending on whether you use bamboo or metal skewers and on the heat of your grill, and whether you wish to leave the lamb pink in the middle or to cook it right through. Serve on the skewers, on a platter.

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