Xinjiang Cumin Lamb Stir Fry
This Xinjiang cumin lamb stir fry is easy to make and made with thin slices of tender lamb shoulder and onions, stir fried with my delicious Xinjiang spice blend!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 3 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 1 lb lamb shoulder chops ((approx. 2 steaks, 1/2 inch thick))
- 1 large white onion ((sliced))
- 5 clove garlic ((sliced))
- 5 slice ginger
- 1/2 cup dried whole chili peppers
- 1/4 1/2 cup cilantro ((finely chopped))
- 2 stalk green onions
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp Shaoxing wine ((or miju cooking wine, or dry sherry))
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp garlic slices ((reserved from preparation))
- 11/2 tbsp Sichuan chili flakes
- 11/2 tbsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
- 1/2 tsp fennel
- 2 tsp garlic powder ((not garlic salt))
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sesame seeds ((optional))
Instructions
- 1
Combine the Xinjiang spice ingredients in a small bowl (1½ tablespoon Sichuan chili flakes, 1½ tablespoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns½ teaspoon fennel, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional). Set it aside.**If you are using whole spices, use a mortar an pestle or a spice grinder to blitz it up before mixing everything together.
- 2
Roughly chop the cilantro (approx. ¼-½ cup cilantro). I like to use the stem and the leaves to prevent waste but for a milder cilantro flavor, you can use just the leaves. Set it aside to use at the end. If you don't like cilantro you can skip this.
- 3
Peel and slice 1 large white onion and set it aside.
- 4
Cut 5 slices ginger and thinly slice 5 cloves garlic and set them aside for later. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the garlic slices for the marinade.
- 5
Cut and discard the root end of 2 stalks green onions. Then cut the green onions into 2-inch pieces. Cut the thicker, white parts again length-wise, so they're not so chunky. Set them aside.
- 6
Slice 1 lb lamb shoulder chops (or lamb shoulder roast) as thin as you can, and cut them against the grain. You can freeze it in the freezer for 45 minutes to make it firmer and easier to slice.
- 7
In a mixing bowl, combine your thinly sliced lamb, the reserved 1 tablespoon garlic slices, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon water, and 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine. Mix everything well and then set it aside to marinate for about 30 minutes.
- 8
Set a large skillet, or wok on the stove and set it to high heat. Once the pan is hot, add about 2 tablespoons of oil and ½ cup dried whole chili peppers and stir fry the dried chilies for about 1 minute or until they turn a deep red color.
- 9
Add the sliced onions and ginger and stir fry it for 1-2 minutes.
- 10
Push the onions, ginger, and chili peppers aside, and add another 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Then add the marinated lamb and spread it out in a single layer. After 30 seconds, stir the lamb and stir fry it for about 3 minutes until the lamb is slightly golden. If you sliced the lamb thicker, you may need to add another minute.
- 11
Once the lamb is cooked, mix it back with the onions, ginger, and chilies. Then, add the garlic slices and stir fry them for 1 minute until they turn a golden color.
- 12
Sprinkle all the spice mix evenly in the pan to coat the lamb and onions and stir fry it for about 2-4 minutes. This will toast the spices further to bring out the flavors. If I find the dish too dry, I will drizzle a bit more oil to the pan to stir fry everything more evenly.
- 13
Add the green onions to the skillet stir fry for 30 seconds.
- 14
Turn off the heat, and toss in the cilantro and plate. The residual heat will cook the cilantro.
- 15
Enjoy your Xinjiang lamb dish over a bed of rice or noodles. (Note: the dried chilies are not meant to be eaten.)