Lamb Shanks With Oregano And Feta Food

KLEFTIKO-STYLE LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• Put the lamb shanks in a large bowl with the garlic, rosemary, thyme, dried oregano, cinnamon, bay leaves, lemon juice (drop in the juiced halves as well), and olive oil. Season well, then toss everything together. If you have time, chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5. Tip the potatoes and peppers into a large roasting tin, then pour over the wine. Remove the lamb from the marinade and set aside, then pour the leftover marinade over the veg. Toss to combine, then arrange the lamb on top of the veg. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hrs 30 mins. Remove the lamb from the tin, turn all the veg over, then turn the lamb over and return to the tin on top of the veg. Drizzle over a little more oil, if the tin seems dry. Bake for 30 mins more, uncovered, until the lamb is falling off the bone and the potatoes are golden around the edges. Leave to rest for 5 mins, then scatter over the feta and fresh oregano, if using.

LAMB SHANKS WITH OREGANO AND FETA

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from shanks, then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a stockpot over high heat.
• Add shanks, turning requently to brown all sides.
• Remove from the pot and reserve.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the onions, stirring until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minues.
• Add the stock, oregano leaves, cayenne, and tomatoes with juice.
• Scrape the bits off the bottom of the pan to release the flavor.
• Add the shanks back to the pan.
• (If the shanks are not completely covered by liquid, add enough water to cover.) Bring to boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 2.
• 5 hours.
• The shanks are done when the meat is practically falling off the bone.
• To serve, arrange 1 shank per person in your favorite bowls.
• Sprinkle with feta cheese and top with the onions and the sauce.
• Serve immediately.

OREGANO LAMB STEAKS WITH LEMON, OLIVE OIL AND FETA CHEESE MASH

Steps:

• Rip the tender little leaves off the oregano sprigs and place into a bowl with the olive oil. Crumble in the feta cheese. Season, to taste, with freshly ground black pepper, then add the chopped spring onions and lemon juice and mix everything together gently, mashing some of the cheese.
• Heat a griddle pan until hot, season the lamb steaks with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and brush each steak with a little olive oil before placing on the hot griddle. Cook for a few minutes one each side, or until lightly crisp - I like mine still pink in the middle.
• Pop the pitta breads into a toaster or under the grill for a minute or two, until they are puffy and hot; carefully cut them into three pieces and place on the serving plate.
• Place the lamb steaks on top of the hot, cut pitta bread and while they are still sizzling, gently spoon over the feta and herb mash. Eat immediately, while all is hot, herbal and piquant! Serve with jacket potatos, fresh mixed salad leaves and a good glass of wine.

LAMB ORZO WITH FETA

Steps:

• Peel and dice the red onion, then fry in a hot pan with the oil for a few minutes.
• Crush the garlic and add to the red onion with the oregano, cinnamon and lamb mince to brown for a few minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and lamb stock, then simmer for half an hour.
• Pour in the orzo and let it simmer for about 8 minutes so that the orzo is only just cooked.
• Divide the pasta into 4 bowls, crumble over the feta and parsley and serve immediately with some garlic breadsticks.

LEG OF LAMB STUFFED WITH GREENS AND FETA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil and sauté the fennel bulb over medium heat until just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the scallions and chopped garlic and sauté for 2 minutes more. Add the greens and sauté, stirring, until wilted. Remove from the heat and stir in the fennel seeds and pepper to taste. Let cool, and then add the mint.
• Make 8 small slits randomly in the lamb and insert the garlic quarters.
• Transfer half of the greens mixture to a small bowl. Add the cheese to the greens remaining in the skillet. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding salt if necessary (Feta is usually quite salty). Stuff the lamb with the cheese mixture, squeezing it to extract the excess juices; add some of the remaining greens if needed; the lamb should be well stuffed. Close the opening with toothpicks. Rub the lamb all over with the remaining greens. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat the over to 450°F.
• Scrape the greens off the surface of the lamb and reserve. Brush the lamb with oil and sprinkle with the oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Place the lamb in a roasting pan that just holds it comfortably, preferably clay or Pyrex one. Roast for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the wine to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Add the reserved greens.
• Pour the greens mixture over the lamb and roast for 5 minutes more. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and roast the lamb, basting frequently with the pan juices, adding a little more wine to the pan if necessary, for about 30 minutes longer, or until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 135°F for medium. Remove the lamb from the oven, sprinkle with the chopped fennel or dill, cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Carve the lamb and serve, passing the pan juices in a bowl or sauceboat at the table.
• NOTE: Alternatively, you can use a butterflied leg of lamb. Spread the stuffing over the lamb, roll it up and tie it. Marinate and roast as directed.