Spiced Lamb Pie Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Toss the lamb in the flour with some seasoning, then brown it in the dish. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the dish (which will cause the meat to steam instead of fry). Take your time to build up a deep brown colour, which will add lots of meaty flavour to the stew. Set the meat aside on a plate as you go.
• Add the remaining oil to the dish along with the onion and garlic. Cook for 5 mins until softened, then stir in the spices, tomatoes, lemon zest and juice, honey and molasses. Fill the tomato can halfway with water, swill around and add this too. Season well, bring to a simmer and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and cook for 2 hrs 30 mins-3 hrs or until the meat is tender. Leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Transfer the meat to a pie dish that's about 25cm wide, or leave it in the casserole if it's wide enough to fit the topping. Unwrap the filo and brush a sheet with butter, scrunch up and place on top of the pie. Continue with the remaining sheets until the tagine is covered. Drizzle any remaining butter over the top and scatter over the almonds, then bake for 45 mins or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds just before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grind all of the spices and herbs in a spice mill until finely ground. Mix together the spice mixture, garlic paste, mustard and honey. Set aside.
• Cut 8 to 12 1/4-inch-deep slices, 1 inch apart, across the top of the leg. Rub the spice paste into the slices and all over the top. Put the leg, seasoned side up, on a rack over a large roasting pan and place in oven. After 50 minutes start testing for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer in the large end of the leg. The thermometer should read 125 degrees for rare meat, or 130 degrees for medium rare. Season the lamb with salt and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F and butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
• In a large non-stick skillet cook lamb or beef in 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and drain meat in sieve set over a large bowl, reserving any juices. Add water and bread to juices and let stand 10 minutes. Chop onions and in a skillet cook in butter and remaining tablespoon oil over moderate heat, stirring until softened.
• In another large bowl combine meat, onion, and all remaining ingredients except bread mixture, lime leaves, eggs, and milk. Squeeze liquid from bread and break into small pieces, dropping into meat mixture. Toss together bread and meat and spread evenly in baking dish. Roll lime leaves into spikes and insert, evenly spaced, in several places into mixture. (Bobotie may be made up to this point one day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring bobotie to room temperature before proceeding.)
• Bake bobotie in middle of oven 30 minutes. In a small bowl whisk together eggs and milk until just combined and pour over bobotie. Bake bobotie until custard is set, about 5 minutes more.
• Cut bobotie into squares or wedges and serve with rice chutney.
• Available at Southeast Asian markets and by mail order from Adriana's Caravan, (800) 316-0820, or Uwajimaya, (800) 889-1928.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large skillet, combine lamb, onion, tomato paste, cayenne, cumin, and cinnamon. Season with salt. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Dust surface lightly with flour. Divide dough into 6 balls; roll into 10-by-5-inch ovals. Transfer to 2 rimmed baking sheets. Divide filling among ovals, leaving 1/2-inch borders. Fold edges over meat; pinch ends together. Let stand, draped with plastic, in a warm place until they double in size, about 30 minutes.
• Brush crust with olive oil. Bake until golden, about 18 minutes. Drizzle with more oil; top with red onion, mint, and pine nuts; serve.

Steps:

• In a large non-stick frying pan, cook the lamb, onion and carrots, stirring often, until the lamb is browned and veg is starting to soften, about 8 mins. Add the garam masala and some seasoning and cook for a further 2 mins until fragrant. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, tip in the peas and cook for a further 2 mins until the peas are cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Meanwhile, cook potatoes in a large pan of salted water until just tender, about 8 mins. Drain well, return to the pan and gently stir in turmeric and coriander - try not to break up the potatoes too much.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Transfer the mince to a baking dish and top with the turmeric potatoes. Squeeze over the lemon juice, then bake for 30-35 mins until potatoes are golden. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.