While in Srinagar, I ate sheekh kebab at a few places, says Romy Gill – it is a popular appetiser and I am a huge fan. This recipe has a perfect balance of flavours and is super easy to make at home.
Serves 3-4 people
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- 1kg minced (ground) lamb (ideally leg meat)
- 2-3 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- 1½ tsp of salt
- 1 tsp of dried mint
- 1 tsp of ground cumin
- 1 tsp of saffron strands
- 1 tsp of black cardamom seeds, crushed to a powder in a pestle and mortar
- ½ a tsp of black cumin seeds, crushed to a powder in a pestle and mortar
- handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped, plus extra to serve
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
To serve:
- sliced shallots
- lime wedges
- chutney of your choice (optional)
Method
- Combine all the ingredients, except the egg, in a large mixing bowl. Mix together, kneading as you would a dough, until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Remove from the refrigerator, then place the mixture in a food processor. Add the egg and blend to a paste.
- Divide the mixture into 6 equal-sized portions. Wet your hands with cold water and mould each portion around a skewer, gently pressing and shaping each into a long sausage. Damp your hands again and smooth the surface of each kebab.
- Meanwhile, prepare a barbecue or preheat the oven grill to high.
- Cook the skewers on the hot barbecue or under the grill for 8-10 minutes, turning them after 5 minutes and rotating them frequently until well browned and cooked on all sides.
- Serve scattered with coriander and sliced shallots, with lime wedges for squeezing and a chutney of your choice, if you like.
Taken from On the Himalayan Trail: Recipes and Stories from Kashmir to Ladakh by Romy Gill, published by Hardie Grant at £27. Photography by Matt Russell. To buy from The Week Bookshop for £21.99, call 020-3176 3835.
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