Shuwa
At Eid in Oman, from Nizwa to the villages of the interior, whole sides of goat or lamb are smothered in a red spice paste, wrapped in banana leaves and lowered into an underground sand pit of glowing embers, where they cook for a day or two. This home version keeps that ritual's flavour with a single lamb shoulder, marinated overnight in the fridge, then wrapped and slow-roasted in a low oven for about five hours. The meat comes out dark, smoky with spice and soft enough to pull with a spoon, and is served on rice with the juices poured over. The common mistake is roasting it uncovered or too hot, so the paste burns before the meat softens. Chef's tip: wrap it tightly in two layers so no steam escapes, and give it a final 20 minutes unwrapped for a sticky crust.
























