Middle Eastern Lamb With Cucumber Salad Food

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• Place the nuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until finely chopped but not pasty. Transfer the nuts to a small dry skillet over medium heat; cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Pour the nuts into mixing bowl large enough to hold all of the ingredients, and set aside to cool. (Don't leave the nuts in the pan, as the residual heat may cause them to burn.)
• Place the onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro in the bowl of the food processor (no need to clean it first). Pulse until the vegetables are finely minced but not puréed. Set a fine sieve over a medium bowl. Transfer the minced vegetables to the sieve and use a rubber spatula to press out as much liquid as possible. Add the strained vegetable mixture to the bowl with the nuts.
• To the veggies and nuts, add the lamb, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt, and white pepper. Using your hands, mash the mixture together until evenly combined.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Form the mixture into patties about 2 inches in diameter and ½-inch thick (they will puff up on the grill to look like meatballs). Place on the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the kofta on the grill and cook, covered, until browned, about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve with tzatziki and hummus.
• Note: If you like your kofta spicy, reserve some of the seeds from the jalapeño pepper and add them with the vegetables. Also, be sure to wash your hands well after handling hot peppers, and do not touch your eyes while working with them.
• Make-Ahead: The patties can be made and refrigerated up to two days ahead of time.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The uncooked patties can be frozen for up to three months. (Freeze the patties on a baking sheet or plate so their shape sets, then transfer them to a sealable plastic bag for easy storage.) Defrost the burgers overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving and then cook as directed.

KHYAR BI LABAN (CUCUMBER YOGURT SALAD)

Steps:

• Peel and slice cucumbers into thin rounds.
• Place sliced cucumbers in a strainer and sprinkle with salt. Set aside.
• While salted cucumber slices sit, crush garlic and mash together with fresh mint leaves using a mortar and pestle or wooden spoon.
• Combine yogurt and garlic mint mixture together. Stir well.
• Fold in cucumber slices and serve cold.

SLOW-ROAST PERSIAN LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a small bowl, mix the molasses with the cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Scatter the onion over a casserole dish or a deep roasting tin. Place the lamb on top of the onions. Pour the glaze over the lamb. Rinse the bowl out with about 200ml water, then pour it around - not over - the lamb.
• Cover the dish with a lid or the tin with a large piece of foil. Roast the lamb, undisturbed, for 3 hrs, then remove the lid or foil and continue to roast for 30 mins to give the lamb colour. When the lamb has had its time, pour off the juices, remove as much fat as possible, then pour the juices back over the lamb.
• Just before serving, gently toss all the salad ingredients together. Serve the lamb with its sauce, the salad and some warmed flatbreads.

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• 1) Turn on the broiler on and set the broiler pan so it's 6 inches from the heat source. Put 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, rub the lamb with the cumin and salt and pepper. (If the butcher hasn't done so, pound the lamb between two sheets of aluminum foil or wax paper with the side of a cleaver or a meat pounder before seasoning.) 2) Put the lamb in the skillet, raise the heat to high, and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes (depending on thickness) on each side for medium rare in the middle. 3) While the lamb cooks, put the yogurt in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl to drain excess liquid. Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers. Put into a large mixing bowl. Peel and mince the garlic. Stack the fresh mint leaves, then roll and cut crosswise into ribbons. (If using dried mint, crush the leaves between your fingers.) Add the garlic, mint, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste to the cucumbers. Mix well. Add the drained yogurt and mix again. Pour into a serving bowl. 4) Brush one side of each pita with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes or until crisp and browned on one side. Meanwhile, thinly slice the lamb on the diagonal against the grain. Serve the lamb on a platter. Put the crisp pita in a basket. Serve with the cucumber salad.

MIDDLE EASTERN VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, parsley, mint, and basil in a large salad bowl and toss to combine.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing gently to coat all the vegetables. Add the feta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss gently. Serve the salad with the toasted pita bread.

SPICED MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB PATTIES WITH PITA AND YOGURT

Steps:

• For the sauce:
• In a small bow, whisk the yogurt with the lemon juice. Stir in the chopped herbs, season with salt and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the patties and pita:
• In a bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the ingredients, except for the pita. Form the mixture into twelve 3-inch oval patties (about 1 inch thick). Arrange the patties on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until firm
• Preheat a grill for at least 10 minutes and prepare it for grilling over moderately high heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, leave one area where you can grill the pita indirectly.
• Oil the grill grates and grill the patties until dark brown grill marks form on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the patties and grill for 4 to 6 minutes longer, until just cooked through.
• Meanwhile, wrap the pita in foil and set the package on the top shelf of a gas grill or in the cooler spot of a charcoal grill and allow them to warm through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Wrap 2 or 3 patties in each pita, spoon some of the yogurt sauce alongside and serve with herb sprigs, passing the remaining yogurt sauce at the table.

MIDDLE EASTERN YOGURT CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Cut cucumbers into cubes, set aside.
• In medium bowl add all other ingredients into bowl except for olive oil.
• Mix well until no clumps.
• Add cucumbers and mix well.
• Garnish with olive oil on top.
• *If you dont like hot foods, omit the pepper, but in order to stay true to this particular recipe please do not omit or substiture* I smash my garlic and hot pepper in a mortar or pestle together, or you could do it in a mini food processor and add the liquid to it.
• Enjoy.