Diabetic friendly dukkah crusted lamb served with homemade tabbouleh

Using herbs and spices is important element in diabetic cooking. Not only does it provide essential nutrients, it is also a great way to add flavour without affecting blood glucose levels.

For example, this recipe includes the wonderful spice mix, dukkah. In this instance the dukkah adds beautiful ethnic flavours into the dish. Try experimenting with different spice combinations as a coating for various dishes. You can purchases dukkah from any supermarket or get creative and blend up your own.

Ingredients

Crusted lamb

• 1 x 300g lamb backstrap, trimmed (feel free to use chicken, pork or beef fillet if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons of dukkah (you may buy ready-made dukkah or see recipe below for an example)
• 100g of natural reduced fat yoghurt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Tabbouleh

• 1 bunch of parsley
• 1 large tomato
• 1 large cucumber
• ½ small red onion
• juice of 1 lemon

Homemade Dukkah

• 1 cup hazelnuts
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
• ¼ cup coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds

Method

Tabbouleh

Chop finely and combine all ingredients.

Homemade Dukkah

Separate the hazelnuts and roast until they are golden in colour. To remove the skins hit and rub the hazelnuts in a tea towel.

Roast the other seeds and spices separately until fragrant.

In a mortar and pestle or using a food processor, grind all the spices, seeds and nuts until coarsely ground.

Keep the dukkah in an airtight container, it will keep for up to 2 months.

Crusted Lamb

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.

Cover a plate with a thin layer of dukkah and gentlly press the lamb into it so that all sides of the meat are covered.

Place the crusted lamb in a lightly oiled baking dish.

Bake until the meat is no longer bloody and is cooked through, this should be about 20 minutes.

Cover the lamb in aluminium foil and rest the meat for approximately five to 10 minutes, then slice.

Mix the cumin and the yoghurt together.

Plate up the tabbouleh, the lamb slices and a doll a small serving of the spiced yoghurt and serve.

Have you ever used dukkah in cooking before? Do you have your own dukkah recipe which could be used?