Lamb Kebab Sliders with Coriander Mint Mayo

One of my biggest pet peeve is when people consider spice to be spicy. In my early years when I used to take my lunch box to work, most of  my non-Indian colleagues said they can't eat Indian food as its too spicy. After much convincing, I offered them to at least try it. And ever since, every morning I get the question 'What's in lunch box today?'.

Growing up, me and mom were huge lovers of spicy fierce food but my dad would not take his food with all that heat. So our regular meals were never spicy. Of course, occasionally me and mom had our way. I make spicy food every now and then because M loves his food that way, but I have grown to appreciate food much more than I did before without the chilies. The point is spices is not always spicy. Except the red chilly powder and fresh or dry chilies, other spices do not add heat to the food. Use of different spices in your food whether Indian or not takes food to a new level of deliciousness, adds a distinct edge, aroma and flavor.

Every time I open my spice cabinet, I have at least a few spice jar falling out and hitting my head. But I keep convincing myself every time I buy a new spice, that my cabinet has enough space. And every time M's in the kitchen and I see the chances of him opening the cabinet, I leap up and stop him to carefully open it myself. I don't know what he would do if he knew the shape of my cabinet. I can't take the risk.

I had guests coming over for Iftar (time for breaking fast during Ramadan) and eventually the idea was to make lamb kebabs with mint and coriander yogurt dip. But the sliders rolls that fell out of yet another cabinet (yeah right my kitchen is falling apart people) convinced me it was slider time! I served it with some very special baked potato wedges which require a post of its own.

Today 15th of  August is also India's 64th Independence day. Here's wishing all Indian all over the world a very happy Independence day!

Lamb Kebab Sliders with Coriander Mint Mayo

Makes 8

Click here for printable recipe

Ingredients

For the kebab

1/2  kg minced lamb*

1/2 cup red onion, sliced

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp red chilly powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp garlic paste

1 tsp ginger paste

1 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped

1 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

For Coriander Mint Mayo

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup yogurt

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1 green chilly, optional

1/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped

1/8 cup mint leaves, chopped

1 tsp lemon juice

Salt to taste

Other ingredients

Lettuce

Colby and Monterey Jack cheese or any melting cheese of choice

Onion slices

Note

* Switch it up with any red minced meat you have but give lamb a chance, its awesome!

Method

For the mayo, blend together the herbs, spices and chili with 2 tbsp of yogurt. Then mix the blended mixture with mayonnaise and remaining yogurt. Keep aside.

Mix all the ingredients for the kebabs with hand except the onions and oil. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for couple of hours or overnight if you have time.

Heat a skillet and add olive oil. Roll the mixture into a ball and put it on the skillet. As soon as you add the ball to skillet, take about a tbsp of sliced onions and put it on top side and press it down the ball lightly with a flat spoon. Cook for about 2 minutes and flip it around so the onion side is on the bottom. Cook for another minute on two.

Add the cheese on patties. The cheese should melt due the heat but you can pop it under the broiler for few seconds too.

Assemble the slider with lettuce at the bottom, then the patties with cheese, add a few onion slices and mayo. Serve with potato wedges