Marys Chilli Lamb Skewers With Minted Yogurt Cooler Food

MARINATED LAMB KEBABS WITH A CHILE-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the kebabs, skewer the lamb pieces alternating with the onions into 6 large metal skewers. Place the kebabs in a large baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, orange zest and juice, mint, and oil. Pour the marinade over the kebabs and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
• While the lamb is marinating, prepare the yogurt sauce. Whisk together the yogurt, garlic, cumin, and chile powder in a bowl. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• To grill the kebabs, oil the grill and prepare a hot fire. If you are using a gas grill, preheat on high. If you are using a charcoal grill, let the coals burn until they are covered with gray ash. The fire is hot when you can hold your hand over the grill for no longer than 5 seconds. Remove the lamb from the marinade and drain very well. Place the skewers on the grill and grill, turning once or twice, for 6 to 8 minutes for medium doneness.
• Place the skewers on a serving platter, and garnish with mint sprigs. Serve warm, with the sauce on the side.

MARY'S CHILLI LAMB SKEWERS WITH MINTED YOGURT COOLER

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into mouthful sized chunks. Chop the mint and put half in a large bowl and half in a small bowl. Finely chop the chilli and add half to each bowl.
• Stir 3 tbsp of olive oil into the large bowl, season, then add the lamb and turn until glistening and well coated (you can do this up to a day ahead).
• Finely chop half an onion and add to the small bowl with the yogurt. Season, stir well, then chill until ready to eat (it will keep for a day in the fridge). Cut the rest of the onion into wedges and separate the layers.
• Thread the lamb on to four large skewers, with onion in between. Preheat the grill or barbecue and cook the skewers for 6-8 minutes, turning until evenly browned. Serve the lamb with dollops of cooler, a leafy salad and hot new potatoes.

YOGURTY MARINATED CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
• Thread the chicken, red onion, zucchini and bell pepper on the skewers, alternating and pushing the pieces close together to fill the skewers tightly. Put the skewers in a baking dish or other nonreactive container that will fit them in one layer. Sprinkle all over with 1 teaspoon of the salt.
• Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, mint, honey, cumin, cayenne, garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the olive oil. Pour all but about 1 cup of the marinade over the skewers and turn to coat them well. Cover and refrigerate the skewers and reserved marinade for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling to return to room temperature.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or a 2-burner grill pan to medium heat and brush with olive oil.
• Remove the skewers from the marinade and brush off the excess. Grill, turning occasionally to evenly char all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the skewers with the reserved marinade as a dipping sauce.

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.

LAMB SKEWERS WITH SPICY YOGURT DRESSING

Steps:

• The day before serving, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over low heat. Add the onions and cook slowly until translucent, about 30 minutes. Drain any excess oil.
• Break the ground lamb up into a bowl. Add the onions, scallions, garlic, mint, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to serve, soak 16 six-inch wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. (This helps prevent the skewers from burning on the grill.) Preheat a grill (high heat).
• Divide the lamb mixture into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a 1-inch diameter log, approximately 3-inches long. Thread each piece lengthwise onto a skewer.
• Grill lamb to medium rare, turning once, about 5 minutes. Serve with Spicy Yogurt Dressing.
• To make the dressing: Mix the yogurt, cayenne, and mint in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature with the lamb skewers.