Grilled Cumin Lamb Pitas With Couscous And Yogurt Recipes

GRILLED CUMIN-LAMB PITAS WITH COUSCOUS AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Set strainer over large bowl. Line strainer with 2 layers of cheesecloth (do not let strainer touch bottom of bowl). Spoon yogurt into strainer. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour (liquid will drain out and yogurt will thicken; discard liquid). Mix yogurt, garlic and lemon juice in small bowl. Season to taste with salt.
• Rub cumin and coriander over lamb pieces. Thread lamb onto 6 metal skewers. (Yogurt and lamb can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Combine 1 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Add couscous. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Transfer couscous to large bowl; fluff with fork. Cool to room temperature. Stir in chopped cucumber, tomato, onion, olive oil and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill lamb to desired doneness, turning frequently, about 10 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to platter. Sprinkle with salt. Grill pitas until heated through and lightly toasted, about 1 minute per side.
• Place 1 pita on each of 6 plates. Spread yogurt mixture evenly over pitas. Spoon couscous down center of pitas. Slide lamb off skewers onto couscous.

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH COUSCOUS AND YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over high heat. Toss the bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, garlic, herbs, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Brush the onion rounds with olive oil and season with salt. Brush the grill pan with olive oil, then grill the bell pepper mixture and onion rounds (in batches if needed), turning, until tender and marked, about 10 minutes. Peel the garlic.
• Meanwhile, cook the couscous as the label directs.
• Pulse the garlic, 2 pieces grilled bell pepper and the yogurt in a mini food processor or blender until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Cut the remaining grilled bell peppers into chunks and toss with the squash, mushrooms, herbs and onion in a large bowl; season with salt.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork and divide among bowls. Top with the vegetables and almonds and serve with the yogurt sauce.

LAMB PITAS WITH TOMATO, SCALLIONS AND MINT YOGURT DRESSING

Steps:

• Wrap pitas in foil and warm in a low oven. Thinly slice the cooked lamb. In a small skillet over moderate heat bring the chicken stock to a boil, the reduce heat to low. Add the sliced lamb to reheat while keeping it moist.
• To a second skillet over moderate heat add oil, 1 turn of the pan, diced tomatoes and scallions. Heat tomatoes and onions through, 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper then turn off the burner.
• Combine yogurt with cumin, coriander and mint.
• To assemble, remove meat from warm broth with tongs and shake off excess liquid. Arrange a few slices of lamb down the center of the pita. Top with a few spoonfuls each of tomatoes and scallions and the yogurt dressing.

GRILLED LAMB LOIN WITH TOMATO AND CUCUMBER RAITA AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Strip leaves from stems of rosemary and thyme, then chop coarsely. Smash garlic cloves, then chop coarsely. Pulse herbs, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon oil in a food processor until smooth. Place lamb in a 13" x 9" glass baking dish; rub with garlic mixture; cover; refrigerate 1 hour. Remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Cook couscous as directed on package; transfer to a bowl. Toss with 2 teaspoon oil, cherry tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Make raita: Heat oven to 375°F. Toss tomato slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and spread on a baking sheet; roast until tomatoes brown in spots, about 30 minutes. Grind cumin seeds to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or spice mill. Puree roasted tomato in a blender with cumin, yogurt, cucumber and sugar until smooth. Stir in mint. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until ready to eat. Heat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Grill lamb, about 2 minutes per side for medium. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes; cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Divide couscous and lamb among 4 plates. Serve with 1 tablespoon raita per plate.

CALIFORNIA GRILLED LAMB BURGER WITH CUMIN YOGURT

Steps:

• Toast fennel and coriander seeds, in a preheated dry skillet over medium heat, about 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove from skillet. Crush seeds in small bowl or with a mortar and pestle. In same skillet, saute the shallots in the olive oil until translucent and just starting to color. Add the oregano and thyme. Immediately remove from heat and set aside.
• Combine remaining spices, salt and lamb in a medium bowl. Mix gently, shape into 6 patties.
• Toast cumin seeds, in a preheated, dry skillet over medium heat, about 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove from skillet. Crush in small bowl or with a mortar and pestle. Combine yogurt with the toasted cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Grill the burgers over medium heat to desired doneness. Serve with grilled sourdough bread or hamburger buns. Top with cumin yogurt.

LAMB CUTLETS WITH YOGURT AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Empty the yoghurt into a large bowl, big enough to fit the cutlets inches.
• Stir in the cumin and chopped onion.
• Separate the garlic into cloves, peel and sqaush with the back of a knife.
• Stir garlic and salt into the yoghurt.
• Coat the cutlets thoroughly with the marinade they are not meant to be completely covered, just lightly coated.
• Cover the dish and refridgerate for at least 4 hours.
• Coat a griddle pan of the bars of the grill with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
• Grill cutlets for three minutes on each side, or until done to your liking.
• Arrange on a big plate and serve with salads.

LAMB PITAS WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown lamb in batches. Transfer lamb to a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, reserving drippings in skillet., In drippings, saute onion over medium heat until tender, 4-6 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in wine, 1 teaspoon salt, oregano and basil. Add to lamb. Cook, covered, on low until lamb is tender, 6-8 hours., To serve, dice enough cucumber to measure 1 cup; thinly slice remaining cucumber. Combine diced cucumber with yogurt and remaining salt. Fill pita halves with lamb mixture, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and yogurt mixture. Freeze option: Freeze cooled lamb mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little broth or water if necessary.

CALIFORNIA GRILLED LAMB BURGER WITH CUMIN YOGURT

Steps:

• Toast fennel and coriander seeds, in a preheated dry skillet over medium heat, about 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove from skillet. Crush seeds in small bowl or with a mortar and pestle. In same skillet, saute the shallots in the olive oil until translucent and just starting to color. Add the oregano and thyme. Immediately remove from heat and set aside.
• Combine remaining spices, salt and lamb in a medium bowl. Mix gently, shape into 6 patties.
• Toast cumin seeds, in a preheated, dry skillet over medium heat, about 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove from skillet. Crush in small bowl or with a mortar and pestle. Combine yogurt with the toasted cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Grill the burgers over medium heat to desired doneness. Serve with grilled sourdough bread or hamburger buns. Top with cumin yogurt.