Lamb preparations have cultivated a worldwide following due to their diverse and indulgent culinary profiles. With this in mind, Taste Atlas has recently unveiled its collection of the "50 Best Lamb Dishes in the World," in which two Indian creations, rogan josh and galouti kebab, secured the 23rd and 26th positions, respectively.
Rogan josh, characterised as an aromatic lamb curry, is thought to have Persian origins and is now closely associated with the Kashmir region of India. The name "rogan josh" combines two words, "rogan," meaning clarified butter or oil, and "josh," signifying passion or heat. The rogan josh recipe combines quintessential spices used in most Indian cooking.
On the other hand, galouti kebab, a traditional Indian dish beloved in Lucknow, holds a unique place. The name "galouti" translates to "soft," alluding to the notion that Haji Mohammad Fakr-e-Alam Saheb, the dish's creator, presented it to Nawab Asad-ud-Daula, who lacked teeth and required a kebab that demanded no chewing. Haji opted for finely minced and tenderised cuts of lamb combined with a medley of exotic spices before being fried.
Turkey's Iskender kebap, named after the butcher who first crafted this delectable dish, Iskender Efendi, has secured the top position. The dish features thinly sliced grilled lamb combined with a spicy tomato sauce and pita bread, while melted sheep butter and yoghurt are traditionally drizzled over it at the table.
Another Turkish delicacy, Cag kebabi, has claimed the second spot in the list shared by Taste Atlas. Hailing from the city of Erzurum, this kebab variation involves marinating lamb with onions, salt, and pepper before skewering the meat on a large horizontal skewer and cooking it over a wood fire.
Next in line is Iran's Kabab torsh, a speciality linked to the provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. This kebab is typically prepared with lean cuts of beef or lamb marinated in a flavorful blend of pomegranate molasses, walnuts, garlic, parsley, and olive oil, as described by Taste Atlas.
The top 10 lamb dishes in the world, according to Taste Atlas list, include:
Iskender kebap
Cag kebabi
Kabab torsh
Khashlama
Doner kebab
Adana kebap
Lagman
Paidakia
Cordero asado
Ghormeh sabzi