Sole Food

Having spent years absorbing the Northern Mediterranean, during the past year I’ve extended my culinary explorations to the Eastern and Southern coasts of that salty font. These regions are primarily Islamic and this fact has led to me explore the trails of the first crusaders, the Arabs who colonized Spain and points east of Lebanon, north of Turkey, and east of Iran.

Most recently this quixotic quest led me to Pakistan — just in time for the last official barbeque/grilling day of the year: Labor Day. Any barbequing or grilling that occurs after Labor Day and before next Memorial Day is strictly ad hoc, not

You can grill on anything, … When I was traveling around the world researching The Barbecue! Bible, I saw people grilling in hubcaps, and the barbecue was great. ~ Steven Raichlen

subject to endorsement, and more in the nature of off-season training). I was giving some thought to what I’d fix and turned again to Steven Raichlen’s The Barbeque! Bible.

I found a recipe for Chapli Kebab, a Pakistani dish. These are lamb patties shaped in the form of the sole of a slipper or sandal. I had some lamb in the freezer, so I thawed and ground it and made slippers. Along with it I fixed tabouleh and grilled, marinated zucchini. The Chapli were so good I ate two of them. So if you happen to want to do some off-season grilling, just to stay in shape, I can highly recommend this particular sole food.

Chapli Kebab

1 lb ground lamb
1/2 ea medium onion — minced
1 – 2 ea Serrano peppers — minced
1/4 c finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin

Thoroughly mixed all ingredients together. Shape into 4 oblong patties about 5 inches long and 3/4 inch thick and place on a small baking sheet. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

Get the grill hot, oil it, and grill kebabs for about 4 minutes per side. Serves 4.

Technorati: Food | recipe | main dish | lamb | grilling | barbeque | Pakistan

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