Lamb Skewer Pitas Recipes

LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Soak the skewers in water about 30 minutes to avoid burning when you cook the lamb. Spear the lamb half way on the skewer, leave room for the stick to be handled. Combine the yogurt and spice blend. Place the lamb in the yogurt mixture and marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the marinade and season with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot pan or on a grill surface for 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked to desired doneness.

INDIAN CURRY LAMB SKEWERS WITH MINT-GRILLED NECTARINE CHUTNEY WITH PITA

Steps:

• For the chutney:
• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the nectarines with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, cut side down until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the nectarines over and grill until just cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and coarsely chop.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan on the grates of the grill. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the chile, garlic, ginger and mustard seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and sugar and cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in the nectarines and cook for 1 minute, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl, cool, and stir in the raisins, coconut and mint. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
• For the skewers:
• Heat the grill to high. Combine the coriander, cumin, mustard seeds and black peppercorns in a small skillet on the grates of the grill and grill until lightly toasted, about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring a few times; transfer to a coffee grinder and process until finely ground and place in a bowl. Add the ancho, turmeric, garlic, ginger, 1/4 cup canola oil and vinegar and whisk until it forms a paste. If the mixture is too dry, add a few tablespoons of water to loosen it to a paste.
• Place lamb in a large bowl, add the curry paste and toss to coat each piece of lamb. You can grill immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to intensify.
• Skewer 2 pieces of lamb onto 2 skewers so that the meat lays flat on the grill. Season both sides of the lamb with salt and grill until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides and cooked to medium-rare doneness, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with pita bread and chutney.

MINI LAMB PITAS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• In a bowl combine mint and garlic for your marinade. Add lamb shoulder and mix, pressing in the leaves and garlic into the lamb. You can set aside overnight in an airtight container.
• For tzatziki, combine cucumber, yogurt and dill in a bowl and add salt and lemon juice to taste. Set aside (you can also make this a day ahead and place in an airtight container).
• Place lamb on a hot grill for 10-15 minutes each side or until done. Slice and set-aside. Cut your pita rounds into quarter points and fill with sliced lamb and tzatziki. Garnish with parsley and serve.

LAMB PITA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Add the coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of salt to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the spice mixture to the lamb stew meat and use tongs to coat the meat in the spices. Set aside.
• Heat an electric pressure cooker to the sauté setting and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pot. Once the oil is shimmering, add the stew meat in batches, being sure not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the meat on all sides, about 4 minutes, then remove to a plate. Add an additional tablespoon of oil, if needed, before adding another batch of meat. Once all the meat has been browned and removed from the pot, add the red wine to deglaze, stirring and scraping the bottom to release any brown bits stuck to the base of the pot. Once the alcohol smell has burned off, 1 to 2 minutes, add the canned diced tomatoes and the browned meat. Stir to combine.
• Place the lid on the pressure cooker and seal. Set to high pressure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once at high pressure cook for 15 minutes then allow the pressure cooker to naturally release for 10 minutes before manually venting the rest.
• While the lamb cooks, add the fresh chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onion, parsley, dill, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to a medium bowl. Toss to combine and set aside until ready to assemble.
• To assemble, slice each pita in half and open to create a pocket. Slather each side of the pocket with hummus, then add in a few pieces of romaine lettuce, covering the hummus. Next add a few spoonfuls of the cucumber-onion mixture and top with a few pieces of cooked lamb. Continue the process with the remaining ingredients.

PRESSURE-COOKER LAMB PITAS WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Select saute or browning setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, brown lamb in batches. Add wine to pressure cooker. Cook 30 seconds, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Press cancel. Add onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, oregano and basil. Return lamb to pressure cooker., Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 15 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure. Press cancel., Select saute setting; adjust for low heat. Add tomato paste; simmer, uncovered, until mixture is slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press cancel., To serve, dice enough cucumber to measure 1 cup; thinly slice remaining cucumber. Combine diced cucumber with yogurt and remaining salt. Fill pitas with lamb mixture, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and yogurt mixture. Freeze option: Freeze cooled lamb mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

LAMB OR BEEF KEBAB PITAS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• In a bowl, knead together all the kebab ingredients. Form into sausages of about 4-5 inches in length. Cover and leave in the fridge for about an hour.
• Prepare the Tzatziki: In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F (this is also great on the bbq).
• Grill the kebabs until brown and crusty on all sides, and cooked through, about 12-14 minutes.
• Get some grilled pita breads.
• Place 1 or 2 kebabs inside each pita and add some slices of tomato, onion, some tzatziki, and a generous sprinkling of parlsey.
• Roll up as tightly as you can without mushing up your sandwich, and wrap a piece of aluminum foil around bottom to catch any drips.
• Enjoy one of the best sandwiches you've ever had.