Spiced Skewered Lamb Recipes

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS WITH LEMONY ONIONS

Steps:

• Season lamb with salt and pepper. Add cumin and turmeric and toss to coat. (This can be done up to 24 hours ahead, if you like.)
• If you're using a charcoal grill, build the fire so it's screaming hot. This lamb is to be cooked hot and fast so it can stay nicely medium-rare, so the hotter the better. If you're using a gas grill, set it on high. Bring a clean platter, cutting board or baking dish out to the grill for the skewers to rest in after cooking.
• Combine onion, sumac (if using) and 3 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
• Combine yogurt and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Skewer the lamb onto wooden or metal skewers, 2 to 4 pieces per skewer.
• Once the grill is hot, cook the skewers on all sides until deeply browned and lightly charred all over, 2 to 3 minutes per side (less time for smaller pieces), moving the skewers around as needed to prevent excessive flare-ups. (If you've trimmed most of the fat away from the lamb, the flare-ups shouldn't be too bad.)
• Transfer the skewers to the platter, cutting board or baking dish to rest for a few minutes and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the dressed onions, lemony yogurt, cilantro, olives, lavash and any pickled vegetables or peppers you like.

SPICED GROUND MEAT SKEWERS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, sumac, salt, Urfa pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon, if using.
• With your hands, thoroughly knead and massage the meat to incorporate the ingredients, about 4 minutes. Breaking down the meat will create a sticky, cohesive mixture that results in a pleasing springy texture. You can also combine everything in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, in which case it will take only about 2 minutes. Chill the mixture for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• Wet your hands with cold water, then divide meat into 6 equal portions and mold each around a metal or soaked bamboo skewer (see Tip). Transfer skewers to a large plate or baking sheet. You can grill them right away at this point, or cover and refrigerate them while preparing the grill (up to 4 hours).
• Heat the grill to high. When the grill is hot, lightly brush the grates with oil, and add the skewers. Cook, rotating them carefully every few minutes, until evenly browned and slightly charred in places, about 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with more herbs, sumac and flaky sea salt, and serve.

SPICED GRILLED LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Blend all the marinade ingredients until smooth, and season with 1 tsp salt and some black pepper. Add the lamb, mix well, cover and put in the fridge to marinate for as long as possible; overnight is best.
• When ready to cook, soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 10 mins and heat a barbecue to medium-high, or heat your grill and line a baking tray with foil. Thread the lamb onto the skewers, about 4 pieces on each. Place on oiled racks of the barbecue and cook for 12-14 mins, turning often, or until charred in places and cooked right through. If you're grilling the skewers, cook for 10-12 mins.

LEBANESE SPICED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 550 degrees F.
• Place lamb chops in a 9 by 12-inch glass baking dish. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt, garlic and lemon juice. Pour over lamb chops. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt, pepper, paprika and "7 spices" to form a rub. Rub both sides of the lamb chops with this mixture.
• Place chops back into the baking dish and add 1 1/2 cups of water gently on the side of the dish so as to keep the spices on the lamb chops.
• Cover the dish with foil and seal well. This will ensure the chops stay juicy. Place in the oven at 550 degrees for 30 minutes. Then lower temperature to 400 degrees and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• The recipes for this program, which were provided by contributors and guests who may not be professional chefs, have not been tested in the Food Network?s kitchens. Therefore, the Food Network cannot attest to the accuracy of any of the recipes.

SPICED LAMB CHOPS WITH HERBED MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Season the lamb all over with salt and pepper, then rub with the ras el hanout. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch; season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until very tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain well.
• Combine the butter, lemon zest, all but 2 tablespoons scallions, the finely chopped dill and the chopped cilantro in a small bowl; stir to combine. Add to the drained potatoes and mash with a potato masher or large fork. Slowly add the milk, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper and cover to keep warm.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and heat until shimmering. Add the lamb chops and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare to medium.
• Divide the lamb chops and potatoes among plates. Top with the remaining scallions, roughly chopped dill and cilantro leaves. Serve with harissa.

SPICED SKEWERED LAMB

Steps:

• Soak 8 to 10 wooden skewers in water for about 20 minutes. Combine the chile flakes, cumin, fennel seeds, oil, soy sauce, rice wine, paprika, and salt in a bowl. Add the meat to the spices, and toss to coat. Thread the meat onto the skewers.
• Heat a griddle pan over a high heat, and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place the skewers into the pan, and cook until they brown on one side, then turn them over, and continue cooking for l minute. Turn off the heat, and serve.

SPICED ROAST LAMB

Steps:

• Stir together the marinade ingredients and season with ½ tsp ground black pepper and 1½ tsp flaky salt. Slash the lamb several times on both sides, then massage the marinade all over it. Seal into a large food bag or non-metallic container and chill overnight (or at least for a few hrs). Let the lamb sit at room temperature for 1 hr before roasting.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the lamb into a foil-lined roasting tin and roast for 20 mins. Turn the oven down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and roast for 1 hr 20 mins for meat that's pink near the bone. Cover loosely with foil halfway through cooking or once the marinade has charred and the meat looks golden.
• Leave the lamb to rest for 20 mins before carving, then serve with lentil & tomato and cucumber salads (see related recipes).

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients together until well blended.
• Toss in the lamb, marinade for as long as possible then thread onto 12 skewers.
• Cover well and chill until ready to cook.
• Grill for 7-10 mins turning frequently until cooked but a little pink in the centre.