Grilled Scallion Lamb
Here is a somewhat different take on lamb kebabs for the grill. The meat is bathed in a spicy-cool Asian marinade and threaded on skewers with whole scallions placed crosswise so all can be seared together. My butcher suggested top round of lamb, a cut I had never used, but he knew what he was talking about: It was excellent, lean and tender. The scallions become lightly charred and smoky. Romesco, the Spanish pepper, tomato and nut emulsion that’s often served as a dip for grilled baby leeks, would be a perfect sauce alongside.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 1 ½pounds well-trimmed boneless top round lamb
- 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1tablespoon grated ginger
- 1teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1tablespoon Vietnamese fish sauce
- 1tablespoon soy sauce
- 3limes
- 3bunches scallions
Instructions
Step 1
Cut lamb in 2-inch chunks; you should have about 20 pieces. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil with ginger, five-spice, cumin, pepper, salt, fish sauce, soy sauce and juice of 2 limes. Add lamb, mix to coat well and set aside at room temperature 3 hours.Step 2
Trim scallions of roots and outer layer of white and cut back green so scallions are 6 to 8 inches long. Coat with remaining oil and set aside. Light grill. Thread meat on long skewers, alternating each chunk of meat with a scallion by running skewers through the center of the scallions crosswise so the scallions stick out on either side of the skewer. Brush meat and scallions with some of remaining marinade.Step 3
Grill skewers of meat and scallions close to your source of heat, basting occasionally with marinade. Turn skewers once or twice, about 5 minutes per side, depending on the heat of the grill, until lamb is medium-rare and scallions are lightly charred. Arrange skewers on a platter and serve with wedges of remaining lime.