Shish Kabob with Yogurt Sauce and Lemon-Olive Couscous
You can make these kebobs any time of year-use a grill pan if making it indoors or a grill during the summertime.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons grill seasoning, (such as Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
- 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 large onion, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups Greek plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped mint leaves, (a handful)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves, (a handful)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 1 cup pitted and chopped green olives
- Toasted pita, for serving
- Special equipment: metal skewers
Preparation
Pre-heat grill or grill pan to medium-high or broiler with oven rack set on second level from the top of oven.
Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, just eyeball the amount, with spices and grill seasoning in a shallow bowl or dish. Add lamb to seasonings and coat evenly in the mixture. Skewer the meat on metal skewers and let sit for 10 minutes. Cook on a hot grill or under the broiler for 7-8 minutes for medium-rare.
Thread the onions and peppers onto skewers, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on grill or under the broiler for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender.
Combine yogurt with garlic, mint and parsley.
In a sauce pot toast pine nuts over medium heat, remove and reserve. Add butter, zest of lemon, and chicken stock to pot and bring to a boil. Stir couscous and olives, cover the pot and remove from heat. Let the couscous stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and toss in the pine nuts.
Stir the lemon juice into yogurt to thin.
Serve meat and vegetables with dipping sauce, couscous and toasted pita alongside.
