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Meat, Africa and overseas

Lamb sosaties with rice

Lamb sosaties with rice are South African lamb skewers marinated in curry, dried apricots and cider vinegar, served with basmati rice. This recipe for 4 serves 4 people in 1 hour, easy level, for €4.60 per serving. The key is letting the marinade soak into the meat and letting the apricots plump up so they caramelize on the grill.

Tonight, South African lamb sosaties, curry and apricot marinated skewers, with rice.

Lamb sosaties with rice
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.60
Calories per person
570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Sosaties are South African lamb skewers, where the sweetness of dried apricots meets the mild heat of curry and the tang of cider vinegar. As they grill, the marinade caramelizes on the meat and onions, while the apricots turn soft and almost candied. Simple, fragrant basmati rice soaks up the juices that drip from the skewers.

This is a dish for a weeknight or a Sunday, good for family dinners and for guests curious to try something different. Kids usually like the sweet and spiced combination, especially if you keep the curry mild. Mon Chou suggests this recipe as a change from classic skewers, without making the prep complicated.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Boneless lamb shoulder 700 g

Pantry

  • Dried apricots 80 g
  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Mild curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Brown sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Cider vinegaroften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the lamb into 3 cm cubes and mix with the curry powder, brown sugar, vinegar, oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper. 30 min

    Rub each piece well with the marinade so it really soaks in.

  2. Cut the onions into quarters and separate the layers.

    Large onion pieces won't burn on the grill.

  3. Thread the skewers, alternating lamb, apricot and onion.

    Alternate sweet and fatty pieces for juicier skewers.

  4. Cook the rice in a large pot of salted water, then drain it. 12 min

    Rinse it well beforehand so it doesn't stick together.

  5. Grill the skewers in a very hot pan or under the oven broiler, turning them and brushing with marinade. 15 min

    Stop brushing 5 minutes before the end so the meat finishes cooking through.

Our tips to get it right

  • If you have time, marinate the meat for an hour or two in the fridge before threading it onto the skewers, the flavor will be stronger.
  • Use metal skewers or soak wooden ones in water beforehand, so they don't burn on the grill.
  • Cut the lamb cubes to an even size so they all cook at the same rate.

The variations

  • Swap the lamb for chicken pieces, which will cook a bit faster.
  • For a vegetarian version, thread sweet potato and bell pepper cubes instead of meat, keeping the same marinade.
  • For kids, cut the pieces smaller and skip the onion on their skewers, since they often like it less.

What to serve it with

  • A cucumber and fresh mint salad
  • A mango chutney
  • Flatbread for scooping up the juices

Storage

Sosaties keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally stored apart from the rice. You can freeze them raw in their marinade, then thaw in the fridge before cooking. Reheat the cooked meat in a pan over low heat so it doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you prepare the skewers ahead of time?

Yes, you can thread the skewers and let them marinate in the fridge for several hours before cooking. This is actually recommended so the meat fully absorbs the marinade flavor.

Can you replace the dried apricots with another fruit?

You can use pitted prunes or fresh apricots in summer. Fresh apricots give a slightly less sweet result and caramelize a bit less.

Can you cook the sosaties in the oven instead of grilling?

Yes, place the skewers on a rack under the oven broiler, turning them regularly. The cooking time should be close to the one given for the pan.

Can the mild curry be swapped for a stronger one?

You can use a hotter curry powder if you like spicier food, just reduce the amount slightly. Kids generally prefer the mild version.

How long does it take to make lamb sosaties with rice?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in lamb sosaties with rice?

About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does lamb sosaties with rice cost?

About €4.60 per serving, or €18.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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