Description
Cumin Lamb Noodles is a flavorful Chinese stir-fry dish featuring tender marinated lamb shoulder slices cooked with aromatic cumin seeds and spices, combined with hand-pulled or wide wheat noodles and fresh vegetables for a spicy and savory meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 pound lamb shoulder or leg, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh or dried hand-pulled noodles (or wide wheat noodles)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 scallions, sliced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate Lamb: In a mixing bowl, combine thinly sliced lamb with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the meat evenly and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside. This ensures the noodles are ready to be added later without overcooking.
- Toast Cumin Seeds: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add cumin seeds and toast them for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing their aromatic oils.
- Add Spices and Lamb: Quickly stir in ground cumin and crushed red pepper flakes to the toasted seeds, then immediately add the marinated lamb. Stir-fry the lamb for 2–3 minutes until it browns and is nearly cooked through.
- Cook Vegetables: Add minced garlic, ginger, sliced red onion, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Continue stir-frying until the vegetables soften and the lamb cooks completely, blending all the flavors together.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients and heat everything evenly through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sliced scallions and fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot for a delicious and aromatic meal.
Notes
- Lamb can be substituted with beef or tofu for different taste or dietary preferences.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Hand-pulled noodles provide the best texture, but any wide wheat noodles are a suitable alternative.
