Lamb Rakka

Recipe courtesy The Fertile Crescent Region The Upper Euphrates Valley. Cafe Rakka, Hendersonville, TN

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Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 3 Reviews
Total Time:
1 hr 35 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
1 hr 25 min
Yield:
4 to 6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

  • 4 ounces coconut oil or peanut oil
  • 4 to 5 Syrian black cardamom seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 tablespoon coriander
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 1/4 tablespoon celery seeds
  • 1/4 tablespoon ajowan
  • 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon saffron
  • 16 ounces tomato puree
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 ounces sour cream
  • 4 dried figs, quartered
  • 1-ounce dried sweet cherries
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Cooked basmati rice, for serving

Directions

Lamb:

In saucepan add 2 ounces of coconut oil, 2 black cardamom seeds, 1/4 tablespoon cardamom, 1/4 tablespoon cumin, 1/4 tablespoon coriander, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1/2 stick of cinnamon, 1 bay leaf and 1/2 tablespoon turmeric. Cook over medium heat to toast for about 2 to 3 minutes, then add the lamb, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and salt, to taste. Let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes stirring occasionally. When meat is cooked add the saffron and turn off the heat.

Korma:

In medium saucepan add the remaining 2 ounces of coconut oil, and the remaining black cardamom seeds, cardamom, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, bay leaf and turmeric. Add the celery seeds and ajowan and toast for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat. Stir in the remaining 2 cloves of garlic and the tomato puree, and mix well. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and cook for 10 to 15 minutes over low heat. Stir in the milk, yogurt, sour cream and salt, to taste. Cover the pan and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 5 minutes, until the color turns bright orange. Add the figs and the cherries and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the lamb, cook for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Add a few cilantro leaves to the bottom of each serving bowl and ladle in the lamb korma. Garnish with more cilantro and enjoy it with basmati rice.

  • This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 3 reviews

  • on January 10, 2013

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    The final product is amazing!! At first I was a bit concerned as neither the meat nor the Korma are great separately but once they are combined... guau!! The only thing I changed was to cook the figs and cherries a bit longer in the Korma... it worked very well for me. I loved cooking with these spices. It was a learning experience as well as very pleasant for the senses: aromas, flavors and colors.

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  • on October 21, 2010

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    I made this tonight. It was wonderful !! I did do two things that were different than the recipe. The first is that I didn't use the the Ajowan ( I didn't have any. And the second thing I did was that I used a London Broil (Beef instead of the lamb! My family loved this. The spices give it such a depth of flavor without being 'spicy'. I even served some to my neighbors who 'hate' spicy food and the LOVED it as well. I highly recommend this dish even if you do not like lamb!!

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  • on October 17, 2010

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    Fantastic way to cook lamb! The taste of the meat can support all these spices.

    BTW, Syrian saffron is a little different and is not as expensive. It's very commonly used in everyday dishes. It might be available in Lebanese/Syrian stores on line.

    people found this review Helpful.
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