Spiced Grilled Lamb Skewers Recipes

LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• Cut the lamb into 1 to 1 1/2 -inch cubes or pieces and put them in a large bowl. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the onion, garlic, spices, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Cover and run the processor until everything is finely chopped (you should end up with a thick onion marinade).
• Pour the onion marinade over the lamb and mix well to make sure all the lamb is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. (If you do not have time, leave the kabobs to marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes).
• Brush the grates of a gas grill (or an indoor griddle) with oil and heat.
• Shake excess marinade off and thread the lamb pieces on some long skewers, allowing a little room between pieces (I used 6 wooden skewers that have been soaked in water).
• Assemble the lamb kabobs in one single layer over your heated grill or griddle. Grill over high heat, turning each kabob one-quarter turn every couple minutes, until the meat is browned all over, anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes, depending on how well you like your lamb cooked (7 minutes on my grill produced medium-rare kabobs).

BEIJING LAMB SKEWERS (YANGROU CHUAN)

Steps:

• Take your chops and simply remove the meat from the bone and cut into small chunks. Don't trim any of the fat from the lamb. This is what's going to give you the flavor you're looking for. Put the lamb in a mixing bowl.
• In a mortar and pestle (or spice grinder), add the cumin, cumin seeds, chili flakes, and salt. Pound it all together, cracking the chili flakes and cumin seeds into smaller pieces (you want it to be coarse, not a fine powder). Add about half of the spices (the other half will be used for sprinkling after the lamb finishes cooking) to the lamb along with the oil and mix everything together.
• Put the lamb onto the skewers. Heat your grill until searing hot. Grill the skewers until they get a nice char on the outside. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle on the extra spices. Serve!

GRILLED SPICED LAMB SKEWERS (SHASHLIK)

Steps:

• Put onion, garlic, spices, herbs, vinegar, and salt in a food processor and process into a smooth, thickish marinade.
• In a bowl, combine lamb and marinade; turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and chill overnight.
• Preheat a grill until very hot (550° to 600°). Slide about 4 lamb cubes onto each skewer, shaking off excess marinade. Oil grill well with a wad of oiled paper towels, then grill skewers (covered if using gas), turning once halfway through, until medium rare (cut to test), 6 to 10 minutes; they will continue to cook to medium off the heat. Season with salt.
• Lay skewers on a platter, top with cilantro sprigs, and serve with plum sauce.
• *Find fenugreek seeds in the spice aisle; grind in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder.

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS WITH LEMONY ONIONS

Steps:

• Season lamb with salt and pepper. Add cumin and turmeric and toss to coat. (This can be done up to 24 hours ahead, if you like.)
• If you're using a charcoal grill, build the fire so it's screaming hot. This lamb is to be cooked hot and fast so it can stay nicely medium-rare, so the hotter the better. If you're using a gas grill, set it on high. Bring a clean platter, cutting board or baking dish out to the grill for the skewers to rest in after cooking.
• Combine onion, sumac (if using) and 3 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
• Combine yogurt and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Skewer the lamb onto wooden or metal skewers, 2 to 4 pieces per skewer.
• Once the grill is hot, cook the skewers on all sides until deeply browned and lightly charred all over, 2 to 3 minutes per side (less time for smaller pieces), moving the skewers around as needed to prevent excessive flare-ups. (If you've trimmed most of the fat away from the lamb, the flare-ups shouldn't be too bad.)
• Transfer the skewers to the platter, cutting board or baking dish to rest for a few minutes and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the dressed onions, lemony yogurt, cilantro, olives, lavash and any pickled vegetables or peppers you like.

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients together until well blended.
• Toss in the lamb, marinade for as long as possible then thread onto 12 skewers.
• Cover well and chill until ready to cook.
• Grill for 7-10 mins turning frequently until cooked but a little pink in the centre.