Recipe - Tah Chin (Yogurt Lamb And Rice)

JUDI M. PHELPS
2 pound Lean lamb from leg
2 One half cup Yogurt
;salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Turmeric OR
One half teaspoon Saffron threads
3 cup Basmati rice
8 cup ;water
2 Egg yolks
One fourth cup Ghee or butter; melted
1 tablespoon ;hot water

Cut lamb into 1One fourth inch cubes. Combine in a bowl with 2 cups yogurt, 2
teaspoons salt, a good grinding of black pepper and the turmeric or pounded
saffron threads. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 6 hours or
overnight.

Pick over rice and wash well until water runs clear. Boil water, add 2
tablespoons salt and the rice, stir and return to the boil. Leave uncovered
and boil for 5 minutes. Drain in colander or large sieve.

Beat egg yolks in a bowl, stir in One half cup yogurt and 1One half cups of the
rice. Place melted ghee and hot water in a 10cup casserole or Dutch oven.
Swirl to coat sides. Spread egg, yogurt and rice mixture evenly over base.

Arrange half the lamb cubes over this with some of the yogurt marinade. Add
a layer of rice, remaining lamb mixture, and all but One half cup of marinade.
Top with remaining rice and spread reserved yogurt marinade on top. Cover
casserole or Dutch oven with lid and cook tah chin in a moderate oven for
1One half hours.

Spoon rice and lamb mixture into center of serving dish. Lift off crusty
layer from bottom of dish and break into large pieces. Arrange around edge
of dish. Alternatively if a Dutch oven has been used, place on cold surface
or in cold water for 510 minutes, run a knife blade around edge of
contents and invert serving dish on top. Tip upside down so that contents
can come out like a cake. Cut in wedges to serve.

Source: The Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos.

Shared and MM by Judi M. Phelps. jphelps@shell.portal.com,
juphelps@delphi.com, or jphelps@best.com

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini