Easy, fun, Friday night food: Lamb skewers with cheat’s crispy egg pancakes

Name: Easy, fun, Friday night food: Lamb skewers with cheat’s crispy egg pancakes
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 long red chilli, roughly chopped; 2 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted; 3 garlic cloves; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp sesame oil, plus extra to brush; 3 x 200g lamb back straps, trimmed; 4 store-bought roti breads; 4 eggs, lightly whisked; 2 cups mixed salad, to serve; crispy fried eschalots (French shallots), to serve

Jessica Brook

March 28, 2024

Eggy pancakes, made with store-bought roti, are a highlight of this Xinjiang-inspired meal.James Moffatt

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:4

These cumin-scented lamb skewers, traditionally cooked over charcoal, are a popular Xinjiang street food. They’re served atop an eggy roti pancake, which soaks up all the juices.

Ingredients

1 long red chilli, roughly chopped
2 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted
3 garlic cloves
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil, plus extra to brush
3 x 200g lamb back straps, trimmed
4 store-bought roti breads
4 eggs, lightly whisked
2 cups mixed salad, to serve
crispy fried eschalots (French shallots), to serve

Method

Step 1
Place the chilli, half the cumin seeds, garlic and soy sauce in a small food processor and process until finely chopped. Thinly slice the lamb back straps and thread onto 16 small metal skewers, folding the slices if they are long. Place the skewers into a dish, pour the marinade over the lamb, and set aside for 10 minutes at room temperature to marinate.
Step 2
Preheat the oven grill to high heat. Lightly brush the skewers with sesame oil and place on a lightly greased oven tray. Grill for 12 minutes, turning, or until lightly charred. Set aside to rest.
Step 3
Meanwhile, lightly whisk the eggs and remaining cumin seeds together. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Working one at a time, dip a roti bread into the egg mixture. Lightly brush the pan with extra oil. Add the roti and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining roti.
Step 4
Serve the skewers on crispy egg roti with salad leaves, crispy shallots and pan juices.

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