Lamb Pita Sandwiches Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, onion, dill, vinegar, cumin, honey, salt, cinnamon, pepper and garlic until combined. Set aside in the refrigerator to chill.
• Make the lamb skewers: In a large bowl, combine the lamb, oil, coriander, cumin, salt, allspice, cinnamon and garlic until evenly coated. Divide the meat into 6 portions and form into logs. Thread each log onto a skewer, then transfer to a plate, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle over medium-high heat until very hot. Brush the griddle with oil. Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• To serve: Brush the pitas with oil and sprinkle with the zaatar. Add them to the griddle with the lamb and cook until toasted and warm, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• In a large bowl, toss the cucumber, cilantro, parsley, oregano, onions, tomato and fennel. Add the vinegar and 3 tablespoons oil and toss to combine. Season to taste. Remove the meat from the skewers and place on the pitas; top with some salad. Serve with the lemon wedges and tzatziki sauce.

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients in medium bowl; blend well. Shape lamb mixture into four 1/4-inch-thick patties. Heat heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add lamb patties and sauté until brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Cut each pita bread in half; fill each half with lamb patty.

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.