COLD CUCUMBER SOUP WITH RICE-AND- LAMB SALAD

Cold Cucumber Soup with Rice-and- Lamb Salad image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Time 2h45m

Yield Six servings

Number Of Ingredients 37

1 1/2 pounds boned leg of lamb
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
6 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 scallion
1 cup almonds, blanched and peeled
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chili pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 cups buttermilk
2 cups milk
1 yellow pepper, seeded and minced
1 cup minced Bermuda onion
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves, for garnish
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups julienned cold lamb
2 cups cooked, cold basmati rice
1/4 cup unsalted pistachios, shelled
2 tablespoons minced dried apricots
3 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley

Steps:

To make the lamb, bring it to room temperature. Whisk together all the marinade ingredients and pour over the lamb, turning it to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 2 hours, turning frequently. Grill over hot coals until medium rare and chill.
To make the soup, puree 5 cucumbers, the garlic, scallion, almonds, chili pepper, cilantro, coriander seeds, bread crumbs and lemon zest in a food processor in batches until smooth. place in a bowl and stir in the buttermilk, milk, pepper and onion. Mince the remaining cucumber and stir into the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper and chill.
To prepare the salad, place the vinegar, salt, pepper, mustard and ginger in a bowl. Whisk in the sesame oil and then the vegetable oil. Add the lamb, rice, pistachios and apricots and toss well. Add the parsley and toss. Chill.
Ladle the soup into 6 bowls, add some lamb salad and garnish with mint.