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With a BIG side of fresh naan.
Cause really, naan makes every meal just THAT much better. Especially homemade naan, which I have deemed one of my best recipes ever. It’s also one of the blog’s most popular recipes ever, even though I posted it almost two years ago! Just ask my mom, she basically BEGS me to make it any chance she gets. It’s just amazingly good.
Also, you know what else is really good? Lamb!
I never cook with lamb, but ever since I made lamb roast over Christmas for the fam, I have been itching to try out some new recipes. Not sure why it took me so long to actually try them, but maybe I just knew I needed to wait for those fresh summertime apricots…they kind of make the recipe. I think any stone fruit would work, BUT, I’m really into apricots, to me they feel very middle eastern, I think they fit really well with this recipe.
So this grilled lamb tikka with caramelized apricots is so simple, quick and easy. If you are not a huge fan of lamb, steak or chicken can work as substitutes, but I recommend giving the lamb a go. Promise, it’s not as scary as some of you may be thinking!!
Ok, but let’s talk about this labneh. Labneh is literally just thickened yogurt and it’s also incredibly delicious. It can be served thick, like Greek yogurt, or super thick, like cream cheese. I went with the cream cheese consistency, but if you are short on time and do not want to wait a day for the yogurt to thicken in the fridge, you can just go for the Greek yogurt consistency. Still delicious.
My favorite part about the labneh though is that it gets soaked in olive oil, rolled in fresh herbs and then sprinkled with thyme toasted pine nuts, pistachios and sesame seeds. I mean, doesn’t that sound good?
SO yummy!
The lamb steak gets coated in a coconut tandoori mixture. Then you simply throw it on the grill, slice and place it on some fresh naan. Then just add those pretty caramelized apricots, some fresh mint + tomatoes and a hefty serving of Labneh… and DONE.
Simple, but perfect!
Oh and pretty healthy too, got to love when that happens.
Whoa, I just got right down to the point today. No rambling…sorry, I was a little distracted. The family Group Me (cool app) texts have been going off like crazy today and they are all about Christmas, so you know I cannot help but to participate. Apparently tickets are crazy cheap right now, so everyone is trying to buy theirs…a little too excited.
I am Christmas freak. Live with it.
And I think that’s kind of all for today. I have a cake chilling out in the fridge that’s just waiting to be photographed, so at the moment mind is petty focused on how to get shots of this insanely delicious cake. I love photographing pretty things, hopefully this cake will be one of them.
BUT you do absolutely have to make this dinner. It’s perfect in every which way and I think you’ll love it!
Grilled Lamb Tikka with Caramelized Apricots + Pine Nut Labneh.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 855 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Labneh*
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice + zest
- 1 tablespoon each: pine nuts pistachios and sesame seeds, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- mixed herbs chopped (I used cilantro, basil, oregano + mint)
- olive oil for serving
Lamb
- 4 lamb steaks
- 2 tablespoons tandoori paste
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
- 6 ripe but firm, apricots, halved + pitted
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 6 fresh warm [naan | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-naan-step-step-photos/] for serving
- fresh mint + cherry tomatoes for serving
Instructions
Labneh*
- In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Place a sheet of cheesecloth or a thin kitchen towel in mesh strainer. Pour the yogurt mixture into the cloth and bring the edges of the cloth together at the top. Tie together the ends of the cloth, so the yogurt is closed inside. Place the strainer over a large bowl and place in the fridge overnight. If you are in a hurry, you can skip straining the yogurt and just use the Greek yogurt as is, not a huge deal!!
- Meanwhile, add the pine nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds and thyme to a skillet. Cook until toasted and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Season with salt.
- When the labneh is ready, remove it from the fridge and roll it into balls. Roll each ball in the chopped herbs and then place in a bowl and cover with olive oil. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Lamb
- Place the lamb in a gallon size ziplock bag or a 9x13 inch pyrex. Add the tandoori paste, coconut milk, sesame oil, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Massage the marinade all over the lamb steaks. Let sit for 20-30 minutes or up to 6 hours in the fridge.
- When ready to grill, preheat the grill or a grill pan to high heat.
- In a bowl, toss together the apricots, honey and balsamic vinegar. Place the steaks on the grill and grill about 5 minutes per side (cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your lamb) or until your desired doneness is reached. Remove from the grill and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing the steak thinly.
- Meanwhile, rub the grill with a little oil if need and then add the apricots. Grill for 3 minutes per side or until the apricots begin to caramelize. Once grill marks begin to appear, you will know they are ready.
- To serve, place a piece of naan on a plate. Add the slices of lamb and then the apricots. Place a few labneh balls on each piece of naan and sprinkle with the pine nut/seed mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and then add fresh mint and cherry tomatoes. EAT!
Notes
*If you are in a hurry, you can skip straining the yogurt and just use it as is, not a huge deal!!
Plus, you get to eat naan. That should scream to you that you MUST MAKE THIS. Duh.
Just a tip, you can also buy some ready made labneh from middle eastern stores, if there are any near you. Labneh is a middle eastern breakfast item, so if you do end up buying the premade stuff and have any leftover, you can try adding some minced fresh dill, chopped walnuts, and some garlic powder and smear it on some fresh pita. This was actually an appetizer I had a Turkish restaurant. Tieghan you are awesome! I am totally in love with your blog and recipes!
You seriously make me want to make everything and anything you make. And I don’t even like lamb. But I feel like I’d devour this. GURL. You rock.
Haha!! And THANK YOU! You are totally making my night! But really, those drinks you posted today get all the thumbs up. I was blown away by them! 🙂
I never cook with lamb either, not sure why, because it’s something I love. Looks wonderful!
I use your naan recipe all the time, it is fantastic! Can’t wait to try this recipe out with the next batch.
I’m actually allergic to lamb but I can see this recipe being equally delicious with grilled steak. Also, labenth is my new favorite food – it’s so tangy and fresh!
Total yummmz!!!!
What cut of lamb steak did you use??
HI Cori! I just used what was labeled lamb steaks at my grocery store, but I believe they where just the chops. Hope that helps!
Hi Tieghan! This is incredible. I have been wishing to try making labneh out of non-dairy yogurt and adding mint. And I will certainly try it atop your naan!
I absolutely love this recipe! Also, coincidentally I have a recipe with grilled apricots coming up soon too 🙂
Yum, yum and yum 🙂
I’m also a Christmas freak. And a Lamb Freak and DEFINITELY a Naan freak!
This dinner is basically my hopes and dreams in edible form and I NEEDS IT NOW> Pinned!
Lovely recipe! Beautiful photography, as always!
Omg, girl! This looks amazing and you’re killing me with that pine nut labneh
Naan has got to be my favourite bread! Love the middle eastern flavours you have used here!
been craving indian food, and this sounds perfect! also, pretty sure that naan is one of the best breads in the world (: