FOOD AND TRAVEL

Monday, August 15, 2011

Lamb Kebab Sliders with Coriander Mint Mayo

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One of my biggest pet peeve is when people consider spice to be spicy. In my early years when I used to take my lunch box to work, most of  my non-Indian colleagues said they can't eat Indian food as its too spicy. After much convincing, I offered them to at least try it. And ever since, every morning I get the question 'What's in lunch box today?'.

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Growing up, me and mom were huge lovers of spicy fierce food but my dad would not take his food with all that heat. So our regular meals were never spicy. Of course, occasionally me and mom had our way. I make spicy food every now and then because M loves his food that way, but I have grown to appreciate food much more than I did before without the chilies. The point is spices is not always spicy. Except the red chilly powder and fresh or dry chilies, other spices do not add heat to the food. Use of different spices in your food whether Indian or not takes food to a new level of deliciousness, adds a distinct edge, aroma and flavor.

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Every time I open my spice cabinet, I have at least a few spice jar falling out and hitting my head. But I keep convincing myself every time I buy a new spice, that my cabinet has enough space. And every time M's in the kitchen and I see the chances of him opening the cabinet, I leap up and stop him to carefully open it myself. I don't know what he would do if he knew the shape of my cabinet. I can't take the risk.

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I had guests coming over for Iftar (time for breaking fast during Ramadan) and eventually the idea was to make lamb kebabs with mint and coriander yogurt dip. But the sliders rolls that fell out of yet another cabinet (yeah right my kitchen is falling apart people) convinced me it was slider time! I served it with some very special baked potato wedges which require a post of its own.

Today 15th of  August is also India's 64th Independence day. Here's wishing all Indian all over the world a very happy Independence day!

Lamb Kebab Sliders with Coriander Mint Mayo
Makes 8
Click here for printable recipe

Ingredients

For the kebab

1/2  kg minced lamb*
1/2 cup red onion, sliced
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste

For Coriander Mint Mayo

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup yogurt
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 green chilly, optional
1/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped
1/8 cup mint leaves, chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste

Other ingredients

Lettuce
Colby and Monterey Jack cheese or any melting cheese of choice
Onion slices

Note

* Switch it up with any red minced meat you have but give lamb a chance, its awesome!

Method

For the mayo, blend together the herbs, spices and chili with 2 tbsp of yogurt. Then mix the blended mixture with mayonnaise and remaining yogurt. Keep aside.

Mix all the ingredients for the kebabs with hand except the onions and oil. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for couple of hours or overnight if you have time.

Heat a skillet and add olive oil. Roll the mixture into a ball and put it on the skillet. As soon as you add the ball to skillet, take about a tbsp of sliced onions and put it on top side and press it down the ball lightly with a flat spoon. Cook for about 2 minutes and flip it around so the onion side is on the bottom. Cook for another minute on two.

Add the cheese on patties. The cheese should melt due the heat but you can pop it under the broiler for few seconds too.

Assemble the slider with lettuce at the bottom, then the patties with cheese, add a few onion slices and mayo. Serve with potato wedges
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57 comments

  1. This top photo is gorgeous! I love the composition, clarity, and the delicious mouth-watering appeal!

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  2. My spice cabinet is the same and whenever my M comes near it, I have to go, "Wait! I can do it." As if I'm the nice helpful one. Ha. :)

    Beautiful work as always. Thanks for sharing. I'm especially interested in that mayo. I've made my lamb koftas like this before and they're wonderful. Cheers!

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  3. These look wonderful I love the image of the spices falling on your head---that happens to me too! I may try these as little meatballs, dipped in that amazing sauce. And the minute I saw the potato wedges I got excited, you need to do that post asap!

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  4. That lone slider perching at the edge of the chopping board is calling my name. Coriander mint mayo may just get me to make (and eat) mayo. This will make my other half very happy.

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  5. LOL - your spice cupboard.rack sounds like mine!! Also hide the sad state of affairs form hubby LOL. LOVE these sliders - such awesome flavours. People tend to label both Indian and Mexican food as "spicy" meaning HOT HOT HOT and it's just not true - just really complex, fabulous flavours!

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  6. They are so cute and tempting.............
    YUMMY...!!!

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  7. My mouth is literally watering with the sight of these gorgeous sliders.

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  8. When I saw the title on twitter I figured the Holiday was over and Happy Independence day India. The sliders look ah-mazing. Mouth watering and it's only morning here. Do you think they will go with coffee?! :)

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  9. I share your pet peeve - most spices aren't spicy at all!
    These sliders sound wonderful... love all the different spices you've used to season the patties, and the coriander mint mayo sounds so deliciously cool and refreshing. Must try these while it's still warm enough to use the grill!

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  10. so yummyyyyy! I agree about the spices, love cooking with them and I understand what you mean when people say non-chili spices are "hot" I guess it is annoying. hehehe

    what a good idea for iftaari, rather than the usual fare.

    ps-love your photos. share your secrets. ;)

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  11. You make a good point -- I suppose I never really thought about it though as I love both spicy and spiced foods =D. I don't eat lamb, but I do love the photos, especially the second.

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  12. Yep, agree with you, to label a whole cuisine as being 'too spicy' is quite sad. And your sliders look perfect! Mmm..really cute and mouthwatering!

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  13. DUUUDDE!!! (yes, I totally called you dude) Very very pretty food styling and photography!! I am very very impressed.... DUDE! :)

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  14. As usual, some absolutely STUNNING shots. Coincidentally, I was craving a juicy burger all through the day. :P Just love your blog.

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  15. very pretty pictures- and an amazing dish, too. x shayma

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  17. Wow, amazing clicks Kulsum. I am a big fan to your photopgraphy skills. Delicious looking sliders and the photos makes me grab one from the screen :-)

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  18. Yum!! Its been long I made burgers at home..you just decided my dinner..& I have lamb in the fridge too!! Love the third picture!

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  19. I sooo wish your posts came with a taste sample Kulsum! deliciousness :)

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  20. I will linger here for ever.. for the burgers and the photographs. Kulsum they are to die for!

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  21. That looks amazingly drool-worthy Kulsum :)

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  22. Beautiful clicks and the kebab sliders looks so tempting

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  23. I love spicy food but my darling mother finds PEPPER too spicy. I know!?! Your wee burgers look totally drool worthy! Are you still using your Canon G10? Photos are gorgeous! :)

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  24. I couldn't agree more with your frustration that spice often equals spicy in perception. I had many of the same reactions with introducing Indian food to those who'd not tried it before. (I can also relate to the spice cabinet avalanche!)

    These are adorable, and what's more, the recipe looks delicious. I can't wait to try them out.

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  25. I have the same pet peeve!! Flavor is not the same as heat. Drives me insane LOL.

    You're recipe looks amazing. I love lamb but my family does not, and I'm not even sure I can get it here in Utah, so I may have to make these with beef.

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  26. Beautiful photos Kulsum. The sliders look so so good- I've had Iftar but I wouldn't mind popping one into my mouth....or two!

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  27. Love these sliders and that you made them with lamb. Your photos make me wanna dive right in!

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  28. Your pictures are becoming more and more gorgeous Kulsum. <3 <3 <3 I will definitely need lessons from you.
    And I totally agree on the spices. A proper use brings out so much flavor in a dish and that is the uniqueness of Indian cooking. Apparently some of my non-indian colleagues love it spicy and hot. I have one colleague who loves Indian pickles and anything spicy I pack for lunch.

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  29. Indian food has tons of flavor because of the spices we use. It's so different from being hot! This is looking delicious and what can I say about your photos ... you are becoming a pro day by day :)

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  30. Totally agree with the spices not adding 'heat' but sometimes they're just there to add complexity, although I do love a spicy dish as well ;p

    Anyway the coriander mint mayo got me sold! they looks so delicious and i've tried mint with lamb before and that combination was out of this world already!

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  31. Congrats on top 9! Great recipe and awesome pictures.

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  32. Wow your photos! they make me wanna just grab some and pop em in my mouth-- i could have 10! looks incredible.

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  33. Brilliant! I have seen alot of sliders and mayo versions but this is totally new! You should be on a show or something girl because your ideas and recipes are amazing. Who would have thought coriander and mint in mayo? Genius

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  34. these look so good! they are tempting me to make them asap! Coriander and mint mayo is such an awesomely wonderful combination

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  35. You rock the kitchen and Hubby better count his blessings! ;P You make me want to cook ~ if only I could without burning down my flat.

    Your blog is dangerous! I now have hunger pains.

    Expat and the City

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  36. These look terrific! Great combination of ingredients!

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  37. Fabulous photography, I can't fathom why I haven't put you on my RSS feed yet. Doing it now. If you're ever down in Dubai, would love to meet you!

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  38. LOVE this! I am a lamb fan and your photographs left me drooling. Congrats on a very, very well-deserved Top 9.

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  39. Incredible! Loving every part of this mouthwatering journey! Lovely blog! xo -Taj

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  40. These look amazing....Not a good idea to be looking at these pictures while fasting :) Look forward to giving this a try! And congrats on making FoodBuzz Top 9!

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  41. Not only does it sound good, but the pictures are amazing. AMAZING. I am going to follow you simply because of that. And then I might just happen to get some food ideas to eat as well ;)

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  42. These look so good! I'm always searching for new ways to serve our homegrown grass fed lamb, and we love lamb burgers. Thanks for the delicious - and darling! - inspiration. :)

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  43. Wow,what a mouthwatering sight!!! Amazing blog and lovely pics...

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  44. although i don like the lamb meet we get here, that first pic made me drool. I should try it with beef or so

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  45. What a lovely story about your family (spicy vs non spicy) and your cabinet full of spices (I can imagine you getting hit by a spice jar - so cute). To be honest with you, I am also the one who thought Indian food is "spicy" food. In Japan, we have almost no spice... and I thought spice = spicy, except for a few. Then my neighbor Indian, now a very good friend of mine, totally changed my view! She taught all the spices are not spicy and cooked a lot of dishes for me. Now your lamb sliders... gosh first, they are beeeeeeeeautiful. And it looks delicious ! Congrats on Top 9, sorry I was really busy this week and didn't pay attention to what's going on in blogosphere. I'm learning a lot from your photos every time. Thank you. :-)

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  46. Love the sliders. What a great idea and they look so good.

    The photography is gorgeous!!! I love that third picture of that lone slider.

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  47. O these looks absolutely gorgeous! I love Indian food and I can take quite a bit of heat (although coming from my mouth it probably doesn't mean anything in terms of real big heat..lol) and that dish just looks... well, incredible!

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  48. Hey Kulsum,

    Iam very glad that i hopped on to your brilliant space. Lamb kebab sliders looks so stunning,wish i could have all of them. As you said i also keep adding the spices even though there is lil space n forget not to hand it over to my DH when he tries to use them. I fear that the space becomes messy :) Happy to follow you buddy.

    htpp://sanscurryhouse.blogspot.com

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  49. This looks SO delicious! Love your photographs and recipes. This looks simple, but elegant, which is exactly what I love :)

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  50. I just had my lunch and after reading your post and seeing the delicious picture I'm starving again....
    Wonderful.....

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  51. though i'm never a lamb person, had been wanting to see this post of urs kulsum! stunning pic they me go gagaga!

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  52. forget meat and potatoes. lamb and potatoes is where it's at! and sliders are so much cuter than burgers. love.

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  53. I tweeted you the other day too,I made these and they turned out awesome!Thank you so much for sharing this lovely recipe;I unfortunately had no mint for the 'Coriander Mint Mayo',hopefully I will have some the next time!

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