Lamb Kebab Burger Food

LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into 1 to 1 1/2 -inch cubes or pieces and put them in a large bowl. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the onion, garlic, spices, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Cover and run the processor until everything is finely chopped (you should end up with a thick onion marinade).
• Pour the onion marinade over the lamb and mix well to make sure all the lamb is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. (If you do not have time, leave the kabobs to marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes).
• Brush the grates of a gas grill (or an indoor griddle) with oil and heat.
• Shake excess marinade off and thread the lamb pieces on some long skewers, allowing a little room between pieces (I used 6 wooden skewers that have been soaked in water).
• Assemble the lamb kabobs in one single layer over your heated grill or griddle. Grill over high heat, turning each kabob one-quarter turn every couple minutes, until the meat is browned all over, anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes, depending on how well you like your lamb cooked (7 minutes on my grill produced medium-rare kabobs).

LAMB KABOBS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high. Soak skewers in water for 25 to 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl combine lamb, scallions, onion powder, oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, cumin, thyme, salt and pepper, to taste. Form meat around skewers, making an oblong sausage shape pressing and securing firmly. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove skewers from refrigerator. Brush grill with oil. Grill kabobs until charred on the outside and medium-rare on the inside, turning only once, about 3 minutes each side. Brush pita lightly with oil, and grill briefly on both sides to warm. Remove lamb kabobs from skewers and place 2 on each pita. Drizzle with Tzatziki Sauce to serve.
• Add the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, hot sauce, lemon juice and zest in a food processor and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, toss in the diced onions and season with salt and crushed red pepper. Bring the pan to medium-high heat and cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 4 more minutes. Turn the heat off and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the lamb, the cooled onion mixture, the dill, mint, oregano, lemon zest and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water. Sprinkle with salt and combine well. Make a little "tester patty," cook it and taste for seasoning.
• Preheat the grill.
• Form the lamb mixture into 4 equal patties and sprinkle with salt. Grill the burgers to your desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove the burgers from the grill and let rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Cut the Whole-Wheat Pitas in half. Schmear each half generously with the Pickled Feta Spread. Top one half with a burger, then tomatoes, sliced onions and spinach. Place the other pita half on top.
• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast and let sit for 15 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flours, cumin, salt and cayenne. Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil. Mix on medium speed to combine and knead the dough. It should take 6 to 7 minutes. The dough will be firm and not sticky or tacky.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into 7-inch rounds (1/4-inch thick). Divide the dough between 2 sheet trays, cover them loosely with a clean tea towel or plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Bake the pitas for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn the pitas over and bake for 2 more minutes. Let cool and use as desired.
• Place the vinegar, sugar, salt, tea bags, bay leaf and herb stems, if using, in a small saucepan along with 1 cup water. Heat until the sugar and salt has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Place the feta in a small container. Add the vinegar mixture and be sure that the feta is submerged in the liquid. Let sit for a couple of hours outside the refrigerator if using right away, or in the refrigerator if using in the future.
• Strain the feta from the pickling liquid and discard the tea bags, bay leaf and stems. Place the feta in a food processor and add the yogurt. Pulse until combined.

MARINATED GRILLED LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• For the lamb: trim all fat from the lamb and cut into 2-inch cubes. Combine remaining marinade ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag and mix well.
• Add the lamb cubes to the bag, tossing to coat. Seal bag and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, rotating the bag occasionally to continually coat the lamb.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat. Remove lamb from refrigerator about 30 minutes before grilling to bring the meat to room temperature.
• To assemble the kabobs: fill skewers, alternating peppers, lamb, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms until all ingredients are used.
• Grill skewers, rotating to char lamb on all sides, until cooked to desired doneness, about 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare.

HOMEMADE BBQ LAMB DONER KEBAB

Steps:

• Tip the mince, diced lamb, the spices, garlic, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp salt into a large food processor. Blitz to a paste - the mixture should resemble pâté. Lightly oil a sheet of foil and lay it on a chopping board. Tip the meat mix onto the foil, and tightly roll up into a large, roughly 10cm-wide sausage. Twist the ends shut so they're sealed well, then chill for a few hours, or until firm. Can be prepared up to a day ahead.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Put the foil-wrapped kebab in a roasting tin, then pour 100ml water around it. Bake for 1 hr 10 mins, turning occasionally, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the middle reads at least 65C. Remove from the tin and leave to cool, then transfer to the fridge and chill overnight.
• Light a barbecue or heat a gas barbecue to medium (see tip, below). When the flames have died down and the coals are ashen, unwrap the kebab and push two large skewers through the middle. Sit the kebab directly on the grill, and close the lid, if the barbecue has one. Cook until heated through and well browned, turning occasionally - this will take about 30 mins.
• Using a sharp knife, finely carve slices from the sides of the kebab. If you like, you can then return the rest of the kebab to the barbecue to brown further, or carve it all at once. Serve the meat on the flatbreads with the chillies, lettuce, tomatoes and onions in separate bowls for everyone to build their own wrap, plus the chips on the side.

DIY KOFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Tip the mince into a large bowl (use a clean washing-up bowl if you don't have anything big enough) with all the other burger ingredients and a good pinch of salt. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands into the mix and squelch everything together through your fingers until completely mixed. Pat the mix into 16 small burgers. These may now be frozen for up to 1 month or chilled up to a day ahead.
• To cook, heat grill to its highest setting and lay the burgers in a single layer on a baking tray (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your tray is). Grill on the highest shelf for 5-6 mins on each side until browned and cooked through. Pile burgers onto a platter and serve with all the accompaniments, so everyone can construct their own sandwich.