Ingredients

lamb stock and tenderloin bits

tomato paste, 6 oz.

peanut butter, unsweetened, 8 oz.

clarified butter**

shallots, 3, fresh

pistachios, shelled, 1 pound

cumin, 3/4 teaspoon*

turmeric, 3/4 teaspoon*

cayenne pepper, 3/4 teaspoon*

black pepper, 1 teaspoon

salt, 1 tablespoon

water, 2 quarts

Vermouth, French, dry, 1/4 cup

garlic, powder and clove,minced

ginger, freshly grated

avocado, very thinly sliced

garlic/olive oil cooking spray

pitta, or any wheat flatbread.

Preparation

  1. Over Night: Season lamb tenderloin bits with cumin, salt, turmeric, pepper, and cayenne.
  2. Brown lamb in clarified butter or peanut oil (20 minutes).
  3. Sauté minced shallots and lamb.
  4. Separate a portion of stock for blending.
  5. Add shallots and lamb bits to stock base.
  6. Blend peanut butter with tomato paste and stock which was set aside. ( Purée at high speed in electric blender).
  7. Add peanut butter/tomato paste blend to lamb stock.
  8. Add cayenne, salt, cumin, turmeric, and pepper.
  9. Cook slowly until oil rises to the top (about 20 minutes). Skim off most -not all- of the oil.
  10. Add garlic.
  11. Add vermouth.
  12. Sieve pistachios through nut mill (or coarsely grind).
  13. Add pistachios to soup. Stir.
  14. Add ginger to taste.
  15. Allow to settle for several hours.
  16. Slice avocado, very thinly, almost lucid.
  17. Just prior to serving: Float avocado and sprinkle remaining pistachio bits as garnish.

NOTES:

  • OR Garam Marsala combo mix ** OR peanut/sesame oil *** Serve thusly: This soup can be served hot or cold. If served cold, chill thoroughly. Serve with pitta bread toasted on open flame. Prep bread with garlic/olive oil cooking spray prior to flaming.

©2002 LLPoussaint Homes & Gardens magazine