Lamb Keema Tacos

Lamb Keema Tacos

By RACHEL GURJAR
Total time 40 minutes
Serves 8
Keema, a ground-meat stew originating on the Indian subcontinent,
is traditionally served solo or used to stuff samosas and naan. Here, it’s used as a taco filling, fragrant with ground lamb, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spread between buns for a sloppy-joe-style sandwich or serve with rice for another quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. plus 11⁄2 tsp. Spicewalla Garam Masala 

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 
1 2" piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped 
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. cumin seeds 
1 medium white onion, finely chopped, plus more for serving 
2 Tbsp. ground coriander 
1 Tbsp. paprika 
1⁄2 tsp. ground cloves 
1⁄2 tsp. ground turmeric 
1 cup tomato purée 
2 lb. ground lamb 
Kosher salt 
Juice of 1⁄2 lime 
1 Tbsp. finely chopped mint 
1⁄2 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus sprigs for serving 
Warm small corn or flour tortillas, crema fresca or sour cream, and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

STEP 1

Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook garlic, ginger, bay leaves, cumin seeds, and1 onion, stirring occasionally, until spices are fragrant and onion is translucent and edges are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, garam masala, paprika, cloves, and turmeric and cook, stirring often, until spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes.

STEP 2

Mix in tomato purée and cook, stirring occasionally to keep from burning, until thickened and starting to stick to bottom of pot. Add lamb and break into small pieces, then add 1 cup water. Season with salt and stir to combine. Cover pot and cook until lamb is cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes (some of the liquid will have evaporated).

STEP 3

Stir lime juice, mint, and1⁄2 cup cilantro into keema. Build tacos with keema, tortillas, crema, cilantro sprigs, and more onion; serve with lime wedges for squeezing over. 

Do Ahead: Keema can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

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