Barbecued Greek Lamb With Tzatziki Recipes

BARBECUED GREEK LAMB WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Mash the garlic to a paste with a pestle and mortar. Mix with the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme and bay, and season with a little salt and plenty of pepper. Place the lamb in a large porcelain dish. Pour the marinade over the lamb and massage into the meat. Leave the lamb for at least 1 hr at room temperature, or longer in the fridge, but no longer than overnight or the meat will become too soft.
• To cook the lamb, fire up the barbecue, or heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. To cook on the barbecue, wait for the coals to turn ashen, then lay the lamb on the grill and cook for 15 mins on each side for meat that is pink, or 20 mins on each side for well done. To cook in the oven, place the lamb in a shallow roasting tin and roast for 30 mins for pink or 40 mins for well done, turning the lamb halfway through. Leave the meat to rest for 10 mins before carving.
• Meanwhile, make the tzatziki. Coarsely grate the cucumber, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and squeeze out all the liquid. Tip into a bowl with the yogurt, garlic and mint, and mix well. Carve the lamb into thick slices and serve with the tzatziki wrapped up in warm flatbreads.

GREEK LAMB BURGERS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine spices: Whisk together the dried onion, dried garlic, dried lemon peel, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Season and rest the burgers: Sprinkle additional seasoning onto both sides of the patties. Rest on counter for 20 to 30 minutes to allow burgers to come to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, prepare your grill: If you have a gas grill, preheat at high temperature for at least 10 minutes with the lid closed. For charcoal grills, fill a grill chimney with charcoal and light it. When the coals are hot (they should be covered with a layer of fine gray ash) empty the coals into the grill. Set the grate in place and cover the grill. Heat for 5 minutes.

BARBECUED GREEK LAMB

Steps:

• Finely grate the rind off all 3 lemons, then juice the lemons.
• Combine oil, lemon rind and juice, garlic, oregano, nutmeg and salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
• Using a sharp knife butterfly the lamb legs so they open out flat.
• Place lamb into ceramic dishes and pour the marinade evenly over each piece, rub the marinade all over the lamb.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to cook, remove the meat from the marinade, keep the marinade.
• Preheat a greased BBQ to high heat.
• Add both the lamb legs and cook each side 3 minutes to seal.
• Reduce heat to low.
• Cover BBQ with the hood or a large roasting pan if your BBQ doesn't have a hood.
• Cook for 20 minutes each side for medium done.
• Baste with marinade every 10 minutes.
• Remove lamb from the heat and cover to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with plenty of tzatziki, Greek bread, Barbecued spring vegetables (Recipe #72418) and Feta Roast Potatoes (Recipe #72411).

GYRO-STYLE LAMB BURGERS WITH TZATZIKI AND GRILLED ONIONS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals evenly over the bottom. Heat 2 flat cast-iron skillets over direct heat.
• For the burgers and onions: Combine the lamb, coriander and mint in a large bowl. Form the meat mixture into 4 equal thin half-moon shaped patties. Season the patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a splash of oil to the cast-irons. Cook the patties 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the meat to get a nice crust. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the burgers from the heat and let rest 2 to 3 minutes before assembling the burgers.
• Meanwhile, drizzle the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until softened and charred, about 5 minutes.
• For the tzatziki: Add the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, cucumber, dill and mint to a large bowl and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Spread some tzatziki over each pita, add a patty to one half of each pita, top with some grilled onion and add some chopped tomato and lettuce. Fold the other half of each pita over. Serve!