Greek Lamb Brochettes With Cucumber And Tomato Tzatziki Food

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.

CUCUMBER AND TOMATO TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Place strainer over large bowl. Line strainer with 3 layers of cheesecloth. Spoon yogurt into cheesecloth-lined strainer; let stand at room temperature to drain 3 hours (liquid will drain out and yogurt will thicken). Transfer yogurt to medium bowl; discard liquid.
• Meanwhile, coarsely grate cucumber. Place in another strainer; let stand at room temperature until most of liquid drains out, about 3 hours. Discard liquid. Squeeze excess moisture from cucumber.
• Mix cucumber, dill and garlic into yogurt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Mix tomato into yogurt. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

ROAST GREEK LAMB WITH TZATZIKI, ROASTED VEGETABLES, AND GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Open the "pocket" on the wide end of the leg of lamb and stuff with some garlic slices, 1 rosemary sprig, 1 bay leaf, and salt. Make 3 long incisions in the top of the leg with your knife. Stuff remaining garlic, rosemary sprigs, bay leaves, and some salt into the incisions. Season well with salt all over.
• Season eggplant, zucchini, and 1 red onion with salt and tumble into a roasting pan. Place the leg of lamb on top.
• Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and cover pan with aluminum foil. Continue baking until lamb is tender, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with sea salt. Place in the bottom third of the oven. Bake lamb and potatoes for 30 minutes. Remove lamb and let rest while potatoes finish cooking, about 30 minutes more.
• Combine grated cucumber, mint, oregano, and salt in a bowl. Mix in yogurt until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Combine tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, and black olives in a deep-sided dish. Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil and red wine vinegar on top. Place feta on top and cover with dried oregano.
• Carve lamb and serve on a big platter. Scoop out vegetables and juices from the roasting pan and add to the platter. Place roasted potatoes, tzatziki, and Greek salad nearby.

GREEK LAMB BROCHETTES WITH CUCUMBER AND TOMATO TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Cut trimmed lamb into 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-inch cubes. Mix lamb and next 6 ingredients in glass baking dish. Cover mixture and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours, turning lamb occasionally.
• Preheat broiler or prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Divide lamb cubes among skewers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange skewers on broiler pan or grill. Drizzle with any remaining marinade. Broil or grill lamb to desired doneness, turning occasionally, about 9 minutes for medium-rare. Serve hot with tzatziki.

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.

GREEK TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

LAMB BURGERS WITH MINTED TZATZIKI

Steps:

• For the mint tzatziki blend the yogurt with the oil and lemon juice.
• Add the cucumber, onion, garlic, mint, and pepper.
• Taste and add salt.
• Cover and refrigerate while preparing the lamb burgers.
• Preheat grill to medium high.
• In a large bowl, combine lamb and remaining ingredients.
• Form into 12 small patties around 3/4 of an inch thick.
• Place on hot grill and cook 5 minutes on the first side, four on the other.
• You want the outside nicely browned with a bit of pink remaining in the middle.
• Serve three each in a pita half with the shredded lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion.
• Offer the Minted Tzatziki at the table.