Description
Cumin Lamb Noodles is a flavorful Chinese-inspired stir-fry dish featuring tender marinated lamb, aromatic cumin seeds and ground cumin, and a blend of fresh vegetables tossed with thick wheat noodles. This quick and spicy meal is perfect for a hearty dinner that combines rich spices, tender meat, and delightful noodle texture in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Lamb Marinade
- 1 pound boneless lamb shoulder or leg, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Stir-Fry and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
Noodles and Garnish
- 8 oz thick wheat noodles (or hand-pulled noodles)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate Lamb: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced lamb with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the meat evenly and let it rest for 15–20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the thick wheat noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be added later during stir-frying.
- Toast Cumin Seeds and Stir-fry Lamb: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and toast for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Add the marinated lamb and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until the lamb is browned and cooked through. Push the lamb to one side of the pan to make space for the vegetables.
- Cook Vegetables: Into the open space in the pan, add minced garlic, ginger, chili flakes, sliced red onion, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry the vegetables for 2–3 minutes until they soften slightly but still retain some crispness.
- Add Ground Cumin and Combine: Sprinkle the ground cumin over the lamb and vegetables. Toss everything together to evenly coat the ingredients in the spices.
- Combine Noodles and Finish Stir-fry: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet. Stir-fry all ingredients together for 1–2 minutes until the noodles are heated through and coated thoroughly with the spiced lamb and vegetable mixture.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and garnish the dish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot for a comforting, spiced noodle meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a drizzle of chili oil just before serving.
- Hand-pulled or thick wheat noodles work best, but udon or linguine can be substituted if needed.
- Slice the lamb thinly against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness.
