Greek Lamb Kebabs With Garden Fresh Dipping Sauce Recipes

SIMPLE LAMB KEBABS WITH GREEK FLAVORS

Steps:

• Build a fire in your grill; when the coals are covered with gray ash and the temperature is medium high (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the coals for 3 to 4 seconds), you're ready to cook. (For a gas grill, turn all burners to high, lower cover and heat for 15 minutes, then turn burners to medium high.)
• While the fire is heating up, trim the lamb of all but a thin layer of fat and cut into 32 more-or-less-equal chunks. Combine in a bowl with the 1/4 cup of olive oil and the salt and pepper and toss well to coat, then thread them onto skewers, about 8 chunks per skewer; they should snuggle up to one another but not be tightly pressed.
• Put the skewers directly over the coals and cook, turning to expose all 4 sides to the direct heat of the coals, until done to your liking, 2 to 3 minutes a side (8 to 12 minutes total) for medium rare. To check for doneness, cut into one of the chunks and check to see if it is done to your liking - remove from the heat when it is just slightly less done than you want it to be when you eat it.
• While the lamb is cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients but keep in separate containers. Slide the lamb chunks off the skewers into a large bowl, add the remaining oil, lemon juice, garlic and marjoram one after another, toss well to coat, season to taste if needed and serve.

LAMB-MUSHROOM KABOBS WITH GREEK YOGURT MOPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix olive oil, red wine, parsley, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, mint, pepper, and kosher salt for the marinade together in a bowl. Coat leg of lamb cubes and mushrooms in separate bowls; marinate for 24 hours.
• Whisk Greek yogurt, egg, wine, oil, lemon zest and juice, smoked paprika, mushroom powder, red pepper flakes, garlic, oregano, saffron, salt, and pepper for mopping sauce together heavily so everything mixes together. Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, to overnight.
• Place a piece of lamb leg, red onion, cremini mushroom, merguez sausage, and another piece of red onion on 7 grill-safe skewers. Repeat with ingredients for as long as your skewer is able to handle and rotate evenly.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place kabobs on the preheated grill to sear in juices and form a crust on lamb, rotating occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Reduce grill temperature to medium-high. Coat kabobs with a generous layer of mopping sauce. Let brown and bubble and continue to coat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into a piece of sausage reads at least 142 degrees F (61 degrees C). The leg of lamb should come to 125 degrees F (52 degrees C) for medium-rare.

GREEK LAMB KEBABS WITH GARDEN-FRESH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• To make kebabs: preheat the boiler on high or preheat outdoor grill. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 15-20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine all the kebab ingredients and mix well.
• Roll the mixture into 30 to 35 sausage-like shapes about 2 to 3 inches long and place on cookie sheets.
• Place one skewer into the end of each lamb roll and broil or grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side, turning once, until cooked through.
• To make dipping sauce: blend all the sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Serve immediately or place in a covered bowl and chill until ready to use. Makes about 3 cups of sauce.

MARINATED LAMB KEBABS

Steps:

• Combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large, non-reactive bowl. Add the lamb, making sure it is covered with the marinade, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to 2 days.
• Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals. Spread the coals in one tight layer on the grill.
• Cut the lamb in 1 1/2-inch cubes. You should have about 20 cubes.
• Cut the red onion in 8 pieces and separate each piece into 3 or 4 sections. Loosely thread 3 or 4 pieces of lamb onto skewers alternately with sections of onion. Sprinkle both sides of the lamb cubes with salt and pepper. Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times, until the lamb is medium-rare.

GREEK LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• Marinate the lamb: Place 8 bamboo skewers in cold water until ready to use. Grate 3 tsp zest from the lemons and squeeze 5 Tb juice. In a shallow glass or ceramic dish just large enough to hold the lamb in a single layer, combine 2 tsp of the lemon zest, 3 Tb of the lemon juice, the oregano, half each of the green onions and garlic, and the olive oil. Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper. Add the lamb to the marinade and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Make the Yogurt Sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, cucumber, the remaining 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 Tb lemon juice, and the remaining green onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes.
• Grill the Lamb: Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for direct-heat grilling over high heat and oil the grill rack. Or, preheat a broiler. Remove the lamb from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Thread the lamb onto the skewers. Place on the grill rack, or put on a baking sheet and place under the broiler. Cook, turning once, 6 to 7 minutes for medium rare or done to your liking. Divide the skewers among 4 plates and serve with the yogurt sauce.

GREEK LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, oregano, oil and garlic. Set aside 1/4 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Add lamb; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally., Drain lamb, discarding marinade in bag. On eight metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread lamb, tomatoes, green pepper and onion. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, rub on grill rack to coat lightly., Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 5-6 minutes on each side or until lamb reaches desired doneness and vegetables are crisp-tender, turning occasionally and basting with reserved marinade.