Minced Lamb Carrot Kugel

Lamb & Carrot Kugel: Your New Comfort Food Obsession

Fancy a minced lamb and carrot kugel ? Honestly, this isn't your grandma's kugel unless your grandma was seriously experimental.

Think Shepherd's Pie meets Jewish comfort food. It’s warm, savory, and has a touch of sweetness from the carrots.

What's the Kugel, Really?

Kugel is essentially a baked pudding and this one has roots in the Jewish culinary tradition. This savoury kugel takes the idea and runs wild.

It is a delicious Jewish baked pudding ! This recipe is medium difficulty, takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours and feeds 6-8 people.

Why You Need This Kugel in Your Life

This ground lamb kugel packs a protein punch from the lamb. This makes it moreish and satisfying. Serve it up for a cosy weeknight dinner or a festive holiday meal.

It's a total crowd pleaser, a guaranteed winner for any occasion. This Lamb Kugel recipe is special because it's a unique take on classic comfort food kugel .

Let's dive into what you need!

Ingredients for a Crowd Pleasing Kugel

Kugel Base:

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Lamb & Carrot Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground lamb ( minced lamb )
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or stock
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Box grater
• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Potato ricer (optional)
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to make Lamb & Carrot Kugel

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Grate potatoes and onion, then squeeze out excess moisture.
2. Sauté the Lamb & Carrots: Brown the lamb, then add carrots, garlic, and spices. Deglaze with red wine (if using), then add broth and parsley.
3. Combine the Kugel Base: Mix grated potatoes, onion, eggs, oil, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Assemble and Bake: Layer half the potato mixture, then the lamb filling, and top with the remaining potato mixture. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 60- 75 minutes.
5. Rest and Serve: Let it rest for 10- 15 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Facts

Pro Tips for Perfect Kugel

• Moisture is the Enemy: Get rid of that liquid.
• Don't Overmix: Gentle does it.
• Golden Crust: Broil for extra crispiness but watch carefully.
• Rest is Key: Patience, my friend.

Substitutions & Variations for Lamb & Carrot Kugel

• Vegetarian: Swap lamb for mushrooms or lentils.
• Sweet Potato: Add sweet potatoes to the base.
• Lamb Substitute: Ground beef or turkey can be used.
• Carrot Substitute: Parsnip or celery root can be used.
• Flour Substitute: Matzo meal can be used for a gluten-free option.

Serving Suggestions for Lamb & Carrot Kugel

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Green salad.
• Dry red wine or apple cider.

This carrot kugel is a total game changer. It’s a potato kugel with meat , but also so much more. It’s a flavour adventure, a Shepherd's pie kugel in disguise. Enjoy!

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Lamb Kugel Recipe

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to make this amazing minced lamb and carrot kugel . It's a bit like a shepherd's pie kugel , but with that classic Jewish comfort food vibe.

Honestly, this savoury kugel recipe is gonna knock your socks off.

The Main Players

Here's the lowdown on the stuff you'll need.

For the Kugel Base:

• You'll want 2 lbs (900g) of Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled. Seriously, Yukon Golds are the way to go.
• Get 1 medium yellow onion , finely chopped. About 1 cup (150g) .
• Grab 2 large eggs , lightly beaten.
• Measure out 1/4 cup (60ml) of vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing the dish.
• You'll also need 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp of baking powder, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper.

For the Lamb & Carrot Filling:

• Heat up 1 tbsp of olive oil.
• Then, brown 1 lb (450g) of ground lamb (or minced lamb ). Quality lamb makes a difference, look for a good colour.
• Add 2 medium carrots , peeled and finely diced. Should be around 1 cup (150g) .
• Toss in 2 cloves of minced garlic.
• Spice it up with 1 tsp of ground cumin, 1/2 tsp of ground coriander, and 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon.
• For a richer flavour, add 1/4 cup (60ml) of dry red wine. Trust me, it's worth it!
• Pour in 1/4 cup (60ml) of chicken broth.
• Finish with 1 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley.
• Salt and pepper to taste, of course.

Seasoning is Key

Don't skimp on the spices! Cumin, coriander, and cinnamon give it that warm, cozy feel. Red wine is optional, but it adds a real depth of flavour.

If you don't have red wine, a splash of balsamic vinegar can work in a pinch. A pinch of smoked paprika can also add extra flavour to the minced lamb recipes.

Equipment Essentials

Here's what you need for the kitchen battle.

• A box grater or food processor to grate the potatoes.
• A large mixing bowl for the kugel base.
• A skillet or frying pan for the lamb.
• A 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. That's important!
• A potato ricer is optional, but makes for a smoother potato kugel with meat .

So, there you have it! Everything you need to whip up a comfort food kugel that's sure to be a hit, especially as a holiday kugel recipe .

Time to get cooking and create your own Jewish baked pudding masterpiece!

Unleash Your Inner Bubbe: Let's Make Lamb and Carrot Kugel!

Right, so you fancy trying your hand at a Lamb & Carrot Kugel? It's like a hug in a dish.

A savoury Jewish baked pudding that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Forget the sweet stuff. This is next level comfort food.

I had this one time at my Auntie Susan's, and I swear I nearly ate the whole thing.

Prep Like a Pro (Mise en Place, Darling!)

First things first, let's get our ducks in a row. Peel those 2 lbs of Yukon Gold potatoes. Chop one medium yellow onion.

Dice those 2 medium carrots nice and small. Mince 2 cloves of garlic like you mean it. Measure out your spices, your flour, and your liquids.

Having everything ready saves SO much time. Trust me on this. And, of course, preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .

I forgot once and ended up waiting for a good half hour. Nightmare!

Kugel Creation: step-by-step

Alright, the magic begins.

1. Grate those potatoes and that onion. Squeeze out all that extra water. Honestly, get every drop.
2. Brown 1 lb of minced lamb in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add your carrots and garlic. Sauté until everything softens.
3. Stir in your spices. Cumin, coriander, cinnamon about 1 tsp, 1/2 tsp, and 1/4 tsp respectively. Pour in 1/4 cup of red wine (optional, but seriously, do it!). Simmer 'til the wine's reduced. Then add 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in 1 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley. Take the skillet off the heat and let cool down a little bit
4. Mix the potatoes, onion, 2 beaten large eggs, 1/4 cup of oil, 2 tbsp of flour, 1 tsp of baking powder, salt, and pepper in a big bowl.
5. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour half of the potato mix in. Spread the lamb and carrot filling. Top with the rest of the potato mix.
6. Bake for 60- 75 minutes , until it's golden brown. Make sure the lamb reaches an internal temp of 165° F ( 74° C) .

Pro Tips for Kugel Perfection

Here’s the tea: Squeeze those potatoes DRY. Soggy kugel is nobody's friend. Don't overmix the batter just combine it.

For a crispy top, broil it for the last few minutes but WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK. Resting the kugel for 10- 15 minutes makes it slice better.

And, hey, feel free to play with the spices! This is your comfort food kugel now.

You know what? Leftovers are amazing. Seriously, cold minced lamb and carrot kugel for breakfast? Don't knock it 'til you've tried it! You can even prep it ahead of time.

Assemble the kugel, cover it, and stash it in the fridge. Bake it the next day. Sorted!

I really love this lamb kugel recipe . It's versatile enough that you can swap out the lamb with beef to make a kind of Shepherd's pie kugel , or go full out and make a Potato kugel with meat .

Either way, everyone is going to love this savoury kugel , and it might just become your favorite holiday kugel recipe .

Recipe Notes: Nailing Your Minced Lamb and Carrot Kugel

Right then, let's chat about making this lamb kugel recipe sing! It's all about those little tweaks and touches, innit? I've had a few goes at this, and honestly, these are the things that make a huge difference.

So, listen up!

Serving it Up: Let's Talk Presentation

Honestly, presentation can make or break a dish! This savoury kugel looks amazing served straight from the baking dish, all golden brown and bubbly.

For extra flair, a sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens it up. Think rustic chic!

Serving this carrot kugel at a family dinner? Alongside, a simple green salad with a zesty lemon dressing cuts through the richness.

A nice dry red wine also works wonders. Think of it as the Shepherd's pie kugel that the whole family will enjoy.

Storing the Goodness

Right, so you've got leftovers. Don't we all?

• Refrigeration: This ground lamb kugel keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just pop it in an airtight container once it's cooled down.
• Freezing: Fancy making this comfort food kugel in advance? No sweat! Cut it into portions and freeze them individually. Then, just thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheating: A quick blast in the oven or microwave will do the trick. The oven gives it that nice crispy edge again, though.

Kugel Transformations: Playing With Flavours

Fancy a change? This is where it gets fun!

• Dietary adaptations: If you're trying to be a bit healthier, swap out some of the potatoes for sweet potatoes. It adds a lovely sweetness. For a vegetarian version, just use lentils instead of lamb. Easy peasy!
• Seasonal Swaps: This holiday kugel recipe can be adapted for all year! In the autumn, chuck in some butternut squash for extra sweetness. It's about making the recipe sing with seasonal produce.

Nutrition Snippets

This minced lamb and carrot kugel is more than just delicious. It is a great source of protein from the lamb and vitamins from the carrots.

Roughly speaking, each serving packs around 450 calories, 25g of protein, and a good dose of fibre. It’s hearty, satisfying, and keeps you going!

Honestly, making this potato kugel with meat isn't as scary as it seems. Just follow the steps, don’t be afraid to experiment, and you'll nail it! It's a Jewish baked pudding that's both comforting and flavourful.

Get cooking!