Barbecued Lamb Backstrap with Cucumber & Dill Salad
Most people can quite easily recognize a lamb rack or some cutlets, but most people aren’t aware of lamb backstrap which is exactly the same meat. It is the “sirloin” of lamb and similar to beef sirloin, this cut has an abundant flavor and I highly recommend it for barbecuing.
The trick is not to overcook the lamb backstrap. In this particular recipe, I have taken that extremely flavorsome backstrap meat and added another level of flavor by marinating it in homemade Cajun spice.
To compliment the strong flavor of the marinated meat, I’ve served it with a relatively simple and refreshing cucumber and dill salad.
This particular dish serves goes great with either a bold white or a quiet red, such as pinot noir, but ideally I prefer it with beer. For more pairings advice, check out this article on food & wine pairings.
Enjoy this delicious BBQ lamb backstrap recipe!
Barbecued Lamb Backstrap with Cucumber & Dill Salad
Ingredients
- 250 grams lamb backstrap x 4
- 215 grams Cajun spice homemade 2 cups
- vegetable oil quality
- 2 telegraph cucumbers
- 1/2 bunch dill
- 170 grams whole-egg mayonnaise 3/4 cup
- pine nuts
- sea salt flakes
- pepper grinder
Instructions
- Rub the lamb with the spice mix and tenderize each piece with a fork 7-8 times each side.
- Rub again with the spice.
- Pour 2 cm’s (1 inch) deep oil into a wide shallow container and gently submerse the spiced lamb into the oil.
- Allow the lamb to marinate at least 3 hours and ideally overnight.
- Preheat the barbecue.
- Peel and seed the cucumber and cut them into 1 cm wide pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, dill, a little salt and pepper and mix until evenly coated.
- Remove the lamb from the oil 10 minutes before cooking and allow the excess oil to drain off so you don’t get flare ups on the barbecue.
- Grill the lamb 2-5 minutes per side (depending on how you want it cooked).
- Rest the lamb for a couple minutes while you organise the plates and beer.
- Garnish the salad with the pine nuts and serve.
Notes
Related: 30 Delicious Leg of Lamb Recipes
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Related: 30 Amazing Roasted Lamb Recipes
