Cumin Lamb Stir Fry

Name: Cumin Lamb Stir Fry
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless lamb shoulder, thinly sliced; 1/2 tsp baking soda (for tenderizing); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry); 2 tsp whole cumin seeds; 1 tsp ground cumin; 6 dried red chilies (such as Tien Tsin or arbol), halved, seeds removed; 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 white onion, thinly sliced; 4 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

A bold northwestern Chinese stir fry featuring tender strips of lamb tossed with whole cumin seeds, dried chilies, and fresh aromatics for a smoky, deeply spiced dish.

45 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

ChineseDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreePork-Free

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless lamb shoulder, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp baking soda (for tenderizing)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
2 tsp whole cumin seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
6 dried red chilies (such as Tien Tsin or arbol), halved, seeds removed
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 white onion, thinly sliced
4 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Instructions

1

In a bowl, combine 1.5 lbs thinly sliced boneless lamb shoulder with 1/2 tsp baking soda (for tenderizing), 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry). Toss well and marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
2

Heat a wok or large skillet over the highest heat possible until smoking. Add 2 tbsp vegetable oil and swirl to coat.
3

Add the marinated lamb in a single layer and sear without stirring for 1 minute. Stir fry for another 2 minutes until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Transfer to a plate.
4

In the same wok, add 6 halved, seeds removed dried red chilies (such as Tien Tsin or arbol) and 2 tsp whole cumin seeds. Toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5

Add 1 thinly sliced white onion and 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Stir fry for 2 minutes until the onion softens.
6

Return the lamb to the wok. Add 1 tsp ground cumin and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Toss everything together over high heat for 1 minute.
7

Add 4 cut into 2-inch pieces green onions and 2 tsp toasted sesame oil. Toss briefly and remove from heat.
8

Garnish with 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Cumin Lamb Stir Fry reach?

For Cumin Lamb Stir Fry, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 3. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

How long should Cumin Lamb Stir Fry marinate?

Step 1 reads: "Toss well and marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature." Follow the time in step 1. Shorter still seasons the surface. Much longer is not better with acidic marinades, which turn the outside of meat or fish mushy.

Is there a substitute for Shaoxing wine in Cumin Lamb Stir Fry?

The entry for Cumin Lamb Stir Fry calls for 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry). In its place: Dry sherry is the standard stand-in, measure for measure. For no alcohol, use chicken stock with a splash of rice vinegar.

Is Cumin Lamb Stir Fry spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Cumin Lamb Stir Fry comes from 6 dried red chilies (such as Tien Tsin or arbol), halved, seeds removed. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the dried chilies, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Cumin Lamb Stir Fry gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Cumin Lamb Stir Fry is 2 tbsp soy sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Cumin Lamb Stir Fry contain sesame?

Yes: 2 tsp toasted sesame oil. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How much protein is in Cumin Lamb Stir Fry?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 36 g of protein in about 420 calories, alongside 12 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 480 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

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