by jenny_haddow » Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:36 pm
OK - Arabian recipes:
Mutton grab is an ex pat description of a fantastic gastronomic experience. Its a whole lamb or sheep roasted over a fire. A shallow hole is dug in the ground and filled with dried wood. Bricks are placed around the fire to support a large tray on which the lamb is placed for roasting. The lamb is turned regularly until tender and the skin is a lovely golden colour. It is served on a tray surrounded by rice and garnished with boiled eggs, spiced minced meat, fried onion slices and roasted nuts and sultanas. Everyone sits around it on the floor and you eat it with your hand, hence 'mutton grab'. It is quite an experience.
To something more practical, this is very good indeed and worth the time and effort.
Pickled and spiced beef.
3-4lb joint of beef, top rump, topside or siverside
garlic cloves 2-3
cinnamon sticks 2-3
cracked green cardamom pods 6 or so
cloves 3-4
1tblsp olive oil
1 large chopped onion
1 carrot peeled and chopped
4fl oz vinegar
half lemon sliced
small piece orange peel
2 tblsp chopped parsley
few sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves
half tsp salt
few peppercorns
tsp allspice
2 tblsp muscovado sugar
With a small sharp knife make slits in the beef and insert garlic, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon sticks, and place meat in a large bowl, pottery or glass. In a small saucepan heat up the olive oil and gently fry the onion and carrot. In a separate bowl mix the vinegar, fried onion and carrot, lemon, orange peel, herbs, spices and sugar. Mix well and pour over the meat coating it well. Cover with clingfilm and place in a fridge for 5-7 days turning the meat twice a day. Transfer meat and juices to a large casserole add a little water if necessary and slowly pot roast until tender. It great hot or cold.
Lamb stew.
2lb cubed lamb
1tblsp plain flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2-3 tblsp oil
about 1 pt water
8oz mixed dried fruit (apricots, sultanas, prunes and apples)
salt to taste
1tblsp muscovado sugar
1tblsp chopped dates.
garnish with chopped almonds or pine nuts
Roll meat in flour. Heat oil in a haevy pan or casserole and brown the meat. Cover with water, put on lid and simmer for about 40 minutes, or bake in the oven, 180c, for 1-1and a half hours. In the meantime soak the fruit in water, drain and add to the meat with the salt, sugar and dates. Continue to simmer until the fruit is tender and the sauce is thickened. Garnish and serve with saffron rice. Wonderful!
If you want some puds to follow let me know.
Cheers
Jen