A cumin spiced lamb dish might sound totally un-Chinese, but its actually authentic and very on-trend!
But what surprised me the most was the ingredients.Everything from the local grocery store.
Theres less soy sauce, no pork, and less rice.
Ground Sichuan pepper
Instead, think fragrant spices, lots of lamb, flatbreads, skewers, pilafs and richly spiced sauces.
I made a few minor tweaks to streamline but the flavour is bang on!
Ingredients in Cumin Lamb
Heres what it’s crucial that you make this lamb stir fry.
Good lamb flavour, not too fatty, suitable for quick cooking.
Baking soda is used tovelvet chickenandbeefin Chinese stir fries too.
Tried and loved technique!
Cornflour/cornstarch This creates a light coating on the lamb that the spice mix clings to.
Some recipes will have you toss the marinated lamb in cornflour.
I tried that, and ended with with a gluey mess.
Ground Sichuan pepper
Soy sauceEither light or all purpose soy sauce.
Spice Mix
Cumin LOTS!
2 whole tablespoons!!
Dried red chillies
This is a bold flavoured dish and true to its name.
Completely different to the hot spiciness of powders like cayenne pepper.
Usually Ill urge you to toast and grind your own, for better flavour.
So feel free to use store bought pre-ground widely available these days in large grocery stores.
Whole peppercorns yield just under half in powder, so start with 1 1/2 teaspoons of Sichuan peppercorns.
Substitutewith 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper.
Sugar Just a small amount, to balance the other flavours.
Doesnt make this dish sweet.
For the stir fry
The whole chilli are used for flavour and fragrance, not for eating.
They are used in dry form so they are chewy and not very pleasant to eat.
Dried chilli Asian ones, if you’re able to.
But even sub-continent (Indian) chillis or South American chilli will work!
Ginger and garlic Plenty, for beautiful aromatics flavour!
Onion Also for aromatic flavour.
Coriander/cilantro and sesame Finishes that are tossed in right at the end.
Prevent screen from sleeping
The actual cooking part is very quick, as stir fries typically are.
Once you start cooking, youll be done in less than 5 minutes.
Mixthe cumin, Sichuan pepper and sugar in a bowl.
The thin slices do not take long to cook!
Sautethe aromatics garlic, ginger, onion and whole dried chillies.
Addthe lamb back in with the spice mix and toss just to coat the lamb in the spices.
It doesnt need to be cooked.
Tossthe coriander/cilantro and sesame in, then toss again just to disperse.
You willlovehow tender the lamb pieces are!
We deliberately keep the slices not too thin so you get a nice satisfying bite of lamb.
Caramelised on the outside, pink and succulent inside!
And I get it.
Love to know what you think if you try this!
I know its a little more niche than the usual stir fries I share.
So that should tell you its extra great!!
Im happy to report he is well, and still receiving a stead flow of meals from us!
He is also very well looked after by other locals.
Small token of appreciation for how well he looks after the park for us!
Here he is with his companion, Cubby, yesterday morning (Sunday).
Youd think Dozer would be more respectful given he doesnt see Geoff every day anymore.
Still begging for a little taste of the breakfast I gave Geoff not 5 seconds ago.
- Geoff is a local who lives in his van at the dog park/beach.
He has special permission from the council to park there.
He wakes up to gun-barrel views over beautiful Pittwater every morning!
