For this hearty pasta recipe, Lior was inspired to pair Kibbeh with lamb. In this recipe by Mark Ladner, he uses carrots to bring a sweetness to the dish that balances the garlic and cumin in the spice blend. Consider this comforting dish a bridge of flavors between Italy and the Middle East.
Main Course
6 to 8
From "The Art of Blending" by Lior Lev Sercarz
1/4 cup Kibbeh N.15 spice blend, plus more for garnish
1 pound ground lamb
1 tablespoon cold water
2 cups carrot juice, preferably fresh
2 cups diced (1/4-inch) carrots
2 cups chopped carrots
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup labneh or Greek yogurt
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 pound orecchiette pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino-Romano cheese
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
In a bowl, combine the Kibbeh spice blend, lamb, 1 ½ teaspoons salt and the water. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Place the carrot juice in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the diced carrots and cook for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl. Add the chopped carrots to the juice and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Puree the carrots and juice in a blender or food processer and add the orange zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fold the diced carrots into the carrot puree and keep warm.
In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil into the labneh until creamy.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mound the lamb in the center of a cold pan. Place the pan over medium- high heat and cook until the lamb is crispy and a good crust has developed, about 5 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat into small pieces and continue cooking until the lamb is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Deglaze the plan with the chicken stock, stir in the butter and simmer for 1 minute.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water, and return the pasta to the pot over medium heat. Stir in the lamb, Pecorino-Romano and enough pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Fold in half of the carrot mixture.
Divide the pasta among plates and spoon some of the remaining carrot mixture and labneh over the top. Sprinkle with Kibbeh and serve.
Recipe by Mark Ladner, from "The Art of Blending" by Lior Lev Sercarz.
Photo © Thomas Schauer
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