Lamb Kebabs With Mint Pesto Recipes

Steps:

• Blend the mint, basil, nuts, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually blend in 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Generously sprinkle the lamb racks with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a grill pan or heavy large skillet over high heat. Place 1 lamb rack in the skillet and cook just until brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the lamb rack meat side up on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 2 lamb racks.
• Roast the lamb in the oven until cooked to desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb racks to a work surface. Set aside for 10 minutes. Cut the lamb between the bones into single chops. Spread the pesto over 1 cut side of each chop. Arrange the chops, pesto side up, on plates or a platter, and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The pesto and lamb racks may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover the pesto and lamb separately and refrigerate. Allow extra time for the chilled lamb to roast.
• Alternately, the racks of lamb can be sliced then broiled before serving. To broil the lamb: Use 18 to 24 meaty single lamb rib chops (about 2 1/2 ounces each, from 3 racks of lamb). Preheat the broiler. Arrange the lamb chops in a single layer over 2 heavy baking sheets. Lightly brush the lamb chops with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Watching closely, broil the lamb chops 3 inches from the heat source until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Spread the pesto over the chops. Arrange the chops pesto side up on plates or a platter, and serve.
• RECOMMENDED WINE #1: Boroli Barolo 1998
• REGION/ORIGIN: Barolo, Piedmont
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
• RECOMMENDED WINE #2: Avignonesi Vino Nobile d'Montepulciano 2001
• REGION/ORIGIN: Montepulciano, Tuscany
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile - local clone of sangiovese)

Steps:

• Preheat grill on high.
• Rub the lamb with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper and salt. Rub mixture all over the lamb. Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
• While chops are resting, prepare the Mint Pesto.
• Grill the lamb chops 2 to 3 minutes per side, for medium rare.
• Serve the lamb chops with the Mint Pesto.
• Add the garlic to a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop. Add half of the herbs and chop for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the herbs and chop. Add in the Parmesan and salt and pepper, pulse briefly until combined. While machine is running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream and process to desired thickness.

Steps:

• Add the lamb to a large gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Mix the olive oil, mint, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a measuring cup.
• Pour the marinade over the lamb, seal the top, and toss the lamb in the marinade, making sure it's completely coated. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, to make the mint sauce: Add the mint, basil, capers, red pepper flakes, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Turn off and taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper, if needed. Remove to a bowl and refrigerate until serving.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. With a clean tea towel, lightly oil the grill grates.
• Remove the lamb from the marinade, let excess drip off, and thread onto skewers.
• Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Grill for 8 minutes total for medium-rare, turning to cook all sides. Serve on a platter drizzled with sauce.

Steps:

• In a non-reactive bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, onion, mint, parsley, rosemary, and oregano. Add the lamb and toss to coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• Preheat the grill or a grill pan on high.
• On each skewer, thread a tomato, meat, onion, pepper, meat and mushroom. Repeat until you have 16 prepared skewers. Season the skewers with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness, about 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium to medium-rare. Serve with the Mint Pesto.
• Combine all of the ingredients except for the oil in the blender. Pulse until well pureed. With the blender running on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Taste, and adjust seasonings.

Steps:

• First, make the pesto. Put all the ingredients (except the olive oil and lemon juice) and a pinch of salt into the small bowl of a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped. While the processor is on, drizzle the olive oil in to make a paste. Tip the pesto into a small bowl and stir in the lemon juice.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the scored lamb leg in a large roasting tin and use half the pesto to generously coat the skin and flesh, pressing it between all the cracks for extra juiciness. Put the rest of the pesto in the fridge, covered with cling film, and remove just before serving.
• Roast the lamb for 1 hr 45 mins. Check during cooking that it's not drying out - if the base of the roasting tin starts to look dry, spread a little more pesto over the top of the lamb.
• Remove the lamb from the tin, cover with foil and leave to rest for 30-40 mins before serving on lemon slices and fresh garden herbs, if you like. Carve at the table and serve with the remaining pesto to drizzle over.

Steps:

• Heat the grill to medium. Mix the yogurt and mint sauce together, then divide the mixture in half. Stir the cumin into one half of the yogurt mix, then pour over the diced lamb. Mix thoroughly to coat and season well.
• Thread the lamb onto 4 skewers, alternating with pieces of onion, then arrange on the wire rack of a grilling tray. Grill the kebabs for 3-4 mins on each side, until the lamb is cooked through and the onion is beginning to brown. Warm the pittas in a toaster for 1-2 mins and split open. Stuff the pittas with lamb, onion and lettuce, drizzling over the remaining minty yogurt to serve.