Spiced Lamb Cutlets with Spinach, Ginger, Chilli & Chaat Masala
Non-vegetarian
Adraki chaamp are lamb cutlets marinated in a spinach, ginger, chilli and yoghurt paste, then roasted and finished with chaat masala and ground ginger. The lamb is tender, with fresh green heat and a tangy, savoury spice dust.
Turmeric rub
3 gRubbed onto the lamb with vinegar and salt (step 1)
Rub 960 g lamb cutlets with 30 g malt vinegar and salt to taste, then work in the turmeric rub.
In a large bowl, stir 4 g chickpea flour into 1 tbsp of the 30 g Greek yoghurt until even.
Blend the rest of the 30 g Greek yoghurt with 70 g spinach leaves, 3 g coriander, 6 g green bird's-eye chilli, 6 g garlic, 10 g ginger root and 4.2 g granulated sugar until smooth; add no water.
Scrape the blended paste into the yoghurt-flour bowl, season with salt and stir to combine.
Coat the lamb cutlets in the marinade, cover and chill for 2–3 hours, or overnight.
Heat the oven to 200°C fan (425°F/gas 7). Line a baking tray with foil and set a wire rack on it.
Lay the cutlets on the rack and bake for 20–25 minutes.
At halfway, baste the cutlets with smoked butter.
Take the tray out and dust the hot cutlets with the finishing spices.
Steep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.
Use 300% to 400% of the weight (e.g. 3–4 g paste for 1 g ground). Fry in oil alongside onions; provides a juicy, pungent kick rather than a dry, baking-spice heat.
Peel and grate finely; use 300% to 400% of the weight. Add to the hot oil early; delivers bright, peppery warmth rather than the mellow, woody heat of dry ginger.
For crisping batters or binding cutlets: use 50% to 60% of the weight. Produces a very crisp shell but lacks the earthy, roasted nutty flavour of besan.
Use 15% to 20% of the weight (about 1 g for every 5 to 6 g fresh cloves). Whisk into sauces; gives a savoury, toasted garlic flavour without raw pungency.
Use 20% to 25% of the weight (1 g for every 4 to 5 g fresh). Stir into the gravy; adds peppery heat and warmth, though it misses the crisp, zesty kick of raw root.