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Lamb Chili with Raita

For the Raita:
1 medium English cucumber
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1 cup plain greek yogurt
6 large fresh mint leaves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper

For the Chili:
1 tablespoon corn oil
2 pounds ground lamb
1 medium red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled, sliced thin, and diced (1 tablespoon)
1 clove garlic, minced
3 teaspoons garam masala (or 2 teaspoons curry powder plus a pinch of cinnamon)
1 teaspoon chili powder (I go 1/2 chipotle chili powder for a little kick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 can coconut milk (about 14oz.)
One 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes with their juice
2 cups chicken broth
2 medium red bell peppers, diced
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained (original recipe called for Garbonzo/Chickpeas)


To make the Raita: Peel the cucumber. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then cut each piece in half widthwise. Use a small spoon to scrape out the seeds. Grate the cucumber into a bowl. Tip the bowl over the sink, holding the cucumber in with your hand or with a plate, and drain out the excess cucumber water. Squeeze the lemon juice into the cucumber. Add the yogurt and mix everything together.

Add the mint, salt, cumin, and cayenne, and mix gently.

Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge. The raita should be served cold.

To make the Chili: Heat the corn oil in a large saucepot over medium-high heat. Use your hands to break the ground lamb into small pieces; then add the meat to the pot. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes; use a wooden spoon to keep breaking the meat up, chopping it and stirring it constantly so that it browns evenly without clumping up. (You can also use Kofta meat here and leave out the onion and cinnamon later.)

Turn the heat down to medium. Add the red onion, ginger, garlic, garam masala, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together so the meat is well coated in the spices and the oil, and then toast the mixture for a minute or so, until the spices release their flavor and aroma.

Add the coconut milk, tomatoes, broth, and bell pepper. Mix everything together, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the chili up to a simmer. Then let it cook, uncovered, at a low bubble, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stick.

When the chili has been cooking for an hour and a half, stir in the beans, and cook for another hour, until the chili has thickened and the flavors are rich and well combined.

Serve the chili with a spoonful of the cold raita on top.

Source: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/lamb-chili-with-chickpeas-and-raita.html (I've modified it a bit.)

Submitted by: Pete on February 9, 2012, 8:52 pm

This recipe is included in 3 recipe books.
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