RECIPE

© Quentin Bacon

Cumin Lamb Kebabs with Fresh Mango Chutney

• Recipe by Thomas John

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
2. 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
3. Cardamom seeds from 2 pods (scant 1/8 teaspoon)
4. 2 whole cloves
5. 1 dried red chile, crumbled
6. 1/4 cup cashews, coarsely chopped
7. 2 tablespoons dry red wine
8. 1/8 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
9. 2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
10. Juice of 2 lemons
11. Salt
12. 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
13. 1 large mango, peeled, fruit cut off the pit
14. 2 cups cilantro leaves
15. 1 cup mint leaves
16. 2 teaspoons chopped shallot
17. 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
18. Vegetable oil, for brushing

Directions

1. In a small skillet, combine the cumin, peppercorns, cardamom, cloves and chile and toast over moderate heat for 1 minute. Transfer to a spice grinder and let cool. Grind to a powder and transfer to a large bowl. Finely grind the cashews. In the bowl, mix the spices with the cashews, wine, mace, 1 cup of the yogurt and the juice of 1 lemon. Season with salt. Stir in the lamb and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. 
2. Cut half of the mango into 1/3-inch dice and coarsely chop the rest. In a food processor, coarsely puree the cilantro, mint, shallot, garlic and coarsely chopped mango with the remaining yogurt and lemon juice. Transfer the chutney to a bowl. Stir in the diced mango and season with salt. 
3. Light a grill. Thread the lamb onto eight 8-inch skewers. Brush with oil and grill over a hot fire until medium rare, about 3 minutes per side. Serve at once with the mango chutney.