Grilled Marinated Lamb Brochettes Recipes

LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into 1 to 1 1/2 -inch cubes or pieces and put them in a large bowl. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the onion, garlic, spices, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Cover and run the processor until everything is finely chopped (you should end up with a thick onion marinade).
• Pour the onion marinade over the lamb and mix well to make sure all the lamb is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. (If you do not have time, leave the kabobs to marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes).
• Brush the grates of a gas grill (or an indoor griddle) with oil and heat.
• Shake excess marinade off and thread the lamb pieces on some long skewers, allowing a little room between pieces (I used 6 wooden skewers that have been soaked in water).
• Assemble the lamb kabobs in one single layer over your heated grill or griddle. Grill over high heat, turning each kabob one-quarter turn every couple minutes, until the meat is browned all over, anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes, depending on how well you like your lamb cooked (7 minutes on my grill produced medium-rare kabobs).

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB

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 marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator, covered, overnight or for up to 3 days.
• Bring the lamb to room temperature. Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals. Scrape the marinade off the lamb, wipe the meat with paper towels, and season it generously with salt and pepper. Brush the grill with oil to keep the lamb from sticking, and grill on both sides until the internal temperature is 120 to 125 degrees for rare. This will take 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how hot the grill is.
• Remove the lamb to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Then slice and serve.

LAMB BROCHETTES

Steps:

• Cut roasting-quality lamb, such as leg or loin, into 1 1/2-inch chunks. You may wish to marinate them for several hours or overnight, as suggested below; otherwise, season and oil the meat. Thread onto skewers, alternating each piece with a square of blanched bacon (see page 60) and a piece of imported bay leaf. Arrange on an oiled broiling pan or in a hinged rack. Broil 2 inches from heat, turning every 2 minutes for several minutes, until the meat is just springy to the touch.
• Here is a basic formula that you may vary as you wish. For every 2 pounds of meat, mix the following in a bowl: 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ground rosemary, thyme, oregano, or Provençal herbs (see page 44), 2 large cloves puréed garlic, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
• Use fresh-tasting, neutral-flavored oils for cooking, such as light olive, canola, or other vegetable oils. Olive oils for flavoring and salads can be mild or fruity, and since they have become a status symbol, you can pay enormous prices for some of those labeled "extra virgin." Test them out yourself to find the brand or brands that suit you.
• "EVOO" is contemporary cook talk for "extra virgin olive oil."

GREEK LAMB BROCHETTES

Steps:

• Cut trimmed lamb into 1 and 1/2 " inch cubes.
• Mix the lamb and the rest of the ingredients in a glass baking dish.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 and no more than 8 hours, turning the lamb occasionally.
• Preheat broiler or prepare barbecue.
• Divide lamb among six to eight skewers and arrange on grill or broiler pan.
• Paint with marinade.
• Broil to desired doneness, turning occasionally and painting with marinade, 9 minutes for medium rare, 12 minutes for medium to medium well.

GRILLED MARINATED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in sealable plastic bag. Add lamb and seal bag, pressing out air. Turn bag to coat lamb, then put bag in a shallow baking pan and marinate, chilled, turning bag over occasionally, at least 8 hours.
• Bring lamb to room temperature, about 1 hour, before grilling.
• Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure.
• Remove lamb from marinade (discard marinade) and run 3 or 4 skewers lengthwise through lamb about 2 inches apart. Grill on a lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, turning over occasionally and, if necessary, moving around on grill to avoid flare-ups, until thermometer registers 125 to 128°F, 8 to 14 minutes total for medium-rare.
• Transfer lamb to a cutting board and remove skewers. Let lamb stand, loosely covered with foil, 20 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to 135°F while meat stands.) Cut across the grain into slices.

GRILLED MARINATED LAMB BROCHETTES

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into 16 1 1/2-inch cubes.
• Peel the onions, then steam or parboil them until nearly cooked but firm. Drain.
• Combine onions, vinegar, white wine, garlic, grated lemon, cumin, rosemary, thyme, honey, salt and pepper to taste. Blend well, then add the lamb and marinate for 30 minutes or longer.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven broiler or grill to high.
• Drain the meat, reserving the marinade. Thread onto 4 skewers, alternating between the lamb cubes and onions on each skewer.
• Brush the skewers with the oil and the reserved marinade.
• Broil under high heat 3 minutes on each side for rare, brushing often with the marinade. Cook longer if desired.
• Serve immediately. Garnish with the watercress.