Lamb Shashlik Recipes

RUSSIAN SHASHLIK RECIPE (Шашлык)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the lamb, sliced onions, bay leaves, salt, oil and water. Using your hands, mix them all together set aside in the fridge to marinate overnight. If in a hurry then for minimum 4 hours.
• Thread the meat pieces onto metal skewers, about 6 per skewer, with any fat positioned towards the outside of the skewer.
• Prepare the mangal. Place charcoals in the mangal, and light and allow to burn for about 30 minutes, or until the charcoal is all white. Your mangal is ready.
• Place the skewers on the mangal and cook until the meat is cooked. The length of time is determined by the heat and height from the charcoal. Don't burn your meat! Keep turning the shashlik as it cooks, so it doesn't burn. I like to add hot paprika spice directly on the skewer for a spicy kick.

SHASHLIK (GRILLED LAMB)

Steps:

• Beat the lemon juice with the oil and add the bay leaf.
• Pour the mixture over the meat cubes and marinate for a minimum of three hours at room temperature.
• To serve, heat the broiler or a charcoal grill, drain the marinade from the meat and arrange the cubes of meat on skewers. Broil or grill for about 10 minutes, turning to brown on all sides, until medium rare, and serve with tkemali (plum sauce.)

SHASHLIK (RUSSIAN LAMB KEBABS)

Steps:

• Combine half the dill with the club soda, vinegar, 1 tsp. coriander, and paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add lamb and onion wedges; cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic; cook 6-8 minutes. Add remaining coriander, plus tomato paste, red pepper flakes, prunes, and salt, and pepper to taste; cook until caramelized, 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes; simmer until thick, 15-20 minutes. Stir in remaining dill, plus cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice.
• Heat grill on high. Bank coals or turn off one burner. Alternate lamb and onions on skewer. Cook over heat 18-20 minutes for rare. If outside is cooking too fast, move to a cooler area.
• Remove from skewers and serve with tomato prune sauce.

GEORGIAN SHASHLYK (CAUCASIAN-STYLE SKEWERED LAMB)

Steps:

• Marinade: In a large bowl, beat together the grated onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Add the meat and toss it in the marinade to coat it thoroughly, then allow to marinate at room temperature for at least 3 hours, tossing every hour or so to keep the meat moist.
• Light a layer of coals in a charcoal broiler and burn until a white ash appears on the surface, or preheat your kitchen broiler to its highest point.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and string them on 4 long skewers, pressing them firmly together, alternate the lamb with the chunks of onion.
• Broil 4" from the source of the heat, turning the skewers occasionally, until the meat is done to your taste and the onions are brown.
• For rare allow about 10 minutes; well-done (which is more typical of Georgian cooking) will take about 15.
• Slide the meat off onto individual plates and garnish with scallions and lemon.