Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Sandwich Recipes

GRILLED LAMB SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the marinade by finely mincing the capers, oregano and garlic together. Add to a small bowl along with the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and some salt and pepper, stirring until well combined. Place the lamb in a large resealable bag and pour in the yogurt marinade. Mix it around so the lamb is completely coated all over. Squeeze out any air, reseal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• When the lamb is marinated, remove it from the bag and wipe off any excess with paper towels. Unfold the lamb, drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle well with salt and pepper on both sides; this will help form a nice crust. Grill for about 15 minutes, then flip once and cook for another 12 minutes on the second side until cooked through and you have some color on the lamb. When done, remove from the grill, tent with foil and let rest for 10 to 12 minutes before carving across the grain into thin slices.
• Take the baguette and split horizontally lengthwise so you have long halves. Place on the grill to warm the bread through and get slightly crisp, about 2 minutes per side.
• To assemble the sandwiches, smear the bread with Harissa Mayo, stack with slices of lamb and Quick Pickled Sweet Cucumbers. Place the top of the baguette on and slice the sandwich into quarters.
• Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, harissa, vinegar and cumin together in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to combine. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as desired. Refrigerate and serve smeared on lamb sandwiches.
• Add the cucumber slices and chile slices to a medium bowl and toss to combine.
• In a medium saucepan, add the vinegar, sugar, 1/2 water and salt. Heat gently, stirring, just until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over the cucumbers and chiles in the bowl. Set aside to marinate at least 15 minutes before serving.

GRILLED LAMB SANDWICH PLATTER

Steps:

• Make the Zesty Feta Spread: In food processor, blend garlic, cheese, red peppers and red pepper flakes until well combined and nearly smooth.
• Make the Chimichurri: In food processor, pulse garlic, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, salt and red pepper flakes until finely chopped. With processor running, drizzle in oil until all oil is incorporated.
• Make the Lamb: Preheat outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat. In small bowl, combine oregano, cumin, salt and cinnamon. Rub all sides of lamb with spice mixture. Transfer lamb to grill and cook 25 to 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F for medium-rare, turning and rotating occasionally. Transfer lamb to cutting board, cover with foil and let stand 10 minutes before slicing (internal temperature will rise 10 degrees).
• Assemble the Sandwich Platter: Thinly slice lamb and place on platter (cut only what you need for one serving per person, as meat dries out if it is pre-sliced). Arrange arugula, lemon wedges, banana peppers, onion, Zesty Feta Spread and Chimichurri on platter with lamb. Serve with sliced rye bread.

GRILLED LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix grated onion, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Add lamb and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4-6 hours, preferably overnight.
• Remove lamb from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat. Remove lamb from marinade, shaking off excess and wiping away any grated onion bits. Thread pieces onto metal or soaked wooden skewers with the onion chunks in between the lamb.
• Grill until lightly charred, 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove from heat and serve with yogurt sauce or tzatziki or over rice.

GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN KEBABS ON PITA

Steps:

• If using bamboo skewers, soak them submerged in warm water for 30 minutes to one hour before using.
• Combine ingredients for kebabs in a mixing bowl and stir thoroughly or use hands to mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
• Prepare grill.
• Oil your hands and make meatballs (koftas) or, if you prefer, torpedo shapes about 6-inches long and place these on prepared skewers (about 3 koftas per skewer) and set them onto waxed paper while finishing the others.
• When all skewers are prepared, grill them over moderately hot coals (may also use broiler or oven, but will lose the char-grilled flavor), until cooked through, turning once.
• Prepare sandwich by warming pita or lavash and placing three (4 if necessary) koftas on the bread or one torpedo, plus some of the tzatziki.
• Sprinkle heavily with the parsley, add some feta cheese, some chopped tomato, a light sprinkling of minced onion, a few pinches of za'atar and cayenne (if you like it spicy, but the za'atar gives a nice flavor!) (Or you may use whatever toppings you prefer).
• Roll up the bread without tearing it, wrap gently with foil or plastic wrap, and serve (I like to serve this with Greek Salad recipe#26384, and some fresh fruit, but lots of Greek and/or Middle Eastern recipes would go great with this!).

MEDITERRANEAN LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix the ground lamb, ground beef, mint, ginger, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a large bowl until just combined. Divide evenly into four portions and shape in to large patties. Set aside. Mix Greek yogurt, lemon zest, 1 clove garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl; cover and refrigerate.
• Cook the lamb and beef patties on the preheated grill until the burgers are cooked to your desired degree of doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place the slices of onion and green tomato on the grill. Cook until lightly charred, about 1 minute on each side.
• Spread yogurt sauce over the sliced ciabatta rolls. Assemble each burger by placing the patty on the the roll, and dividing the feta cheese slices over the patties. Top with a slice of grilled tomato, grilled onion, and 2 leaves of arugula, followed by the top half of the roll.