Lamb And Fig Skewers With Honey And Rosemary Food

GRILLED LAMB ON ROSEMARY SKEWERS

Steps:

• Start a charcoal or wood fire or heat a gas grill; fire should be moderately hot. Thread lamb and figs onto rosemary branches, three or four chunks or figs per skewer. Do not mix meat and figs on same skewer.
• Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix together the lemon juice, garlic and minced rosemary and brush a little of this mixture on lamb and figs.
• Grill, turning skewers as each side browns and taking care to avoid flare-ups; total cooking time should be from 6 to 10 minutes for medium-rare meat, and 4 or 5 minutes for the figs. Meat will become slightly more done after you remove it from grill, so take this into account.

LAMB AND FIG SKEWERS WITH HONEY AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. (You don't need to soak metal skewers. If you are broiling the kebabs instead of grilling, skewers are optional.)
• In a large bowl, toss together garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper and fish sauce, and stir well to dissolve the salt. Stir in oil.
• Thread the figs on skewers; if you are not using skewers, spread the figs on a baking sheet. Make sure the figs don't touch one another. Brush with some of the rosemary marinade and set the figs aside.
• Add lamb to the bowl with remaining marinade and toss well. If you have time, let lamb marinate in the fridge for several hours, or at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Light the grill or heat the broiler. Thread the lamb on skewers or spread on a baking sheet, leaving room between the pieces to get more of a char. Grill or broil kebabs for 3 to 5 minutes, turning them once. (If broiling, cook as close to the heating element as possible. You don't need to turn them.)
• Sprinkle lamb with fresh mint, then serve lamb and figs with lemon wedges.

ROSEMARY LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Remove any sinew and cut the meat into long strips. Place into a glass or china bowl (not metal) and add the last 5 ingredients ingredients. Marinade in the fridge for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Strip the rosemary stalks leaving about 3 inches of leaves on the ends for presentation. Cut the opposite end into a point. Thread strip of meat onto the skewers, pushing it up towards to rosemary leaves.
• Place on the barbecue with the rosemary stalks hanging off the end (or else they will burn). Brush with the marinade occasionally.
• They will cook very quickly.

LEMON-HONEY LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Combine the mint, wine, lemon juice, and honey in a mixing bowl. Add the lamb and onions, and toss to mix. Cover, and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Strain the marinade from the lamb into a small saucepan; set aside. Thread the lamb and onions onto the skewers, using 3 onions per skewer. Cook the skewers on the preheated grill until the lamb has cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 8 minutes for medium-well.
• Meanwhile, bring the reserved marinade to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the apricot preserves until dissolved, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 5 minutes, adding water if needed to keep the sauce from burning. Dissolve the cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, and whisk into the sauce to thicken; simmer the sauce 30 seconds longer. Serve with the lamb skewers.

GRILLED FRESH FIGS ON ROSEMARY SKEWERS

Steps:

• Strip the leaves from the bottom of the rosemary stems, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of leaves at the tip.
• Finely chop 2 tablespoons of the stripped rosemary leaves and set them aside.
• Place the stems in a bowl and add cold water to cover; soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Drain the stems and pat them dry with paper towelling.
• Skewer 2 fig halves crosswise on each rosemary stem.
• Arrange the skewers on a plate with the cut sides of the figs facing up.
• In a small bowl, mix together honey and lemon juice.
• Brush the honey/lemon mixture over the cut side of the figs.
• Preheat the broiler or grill to medium-high.
• Grill or broil the figs until they are lightly browned and softened, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
• Sprinkle evenly with the reserved rosemary leaves and some black pepper.
• Serve on the skewers while still hot.

HONEY-MINT LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Mix the first 7 ingredients in a shallow dish. Add lamb; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours., Preheat broiler. For dip, place sour cream, lemon juice, feta cheese and pepperoncini in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until serving., Drain lamb and discard marinade. Thread 2 pieces of lamb on each of 36 soaked wooden skewers; place in two 15x10-in. pans. Broil 6-8 in. from heat until lamb reaches desired doneness, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve with dip.