Recipes Greek

Lamb kleftiko 

Ingredients

6 garlic cloves

     3 tbsp roughly chopped oregano

     1 tbsp roughly chopped rosemary

     zest 1 lemon and juice of 2

     ½ tsp ground cinnamon

     3 tbsp olive oil

     2kg leg of lamb

     1kg Desiree potatoes, halved or quartered

     5 bay leaves

For the mint yogurt

     250g Greek yogurt

     juice ½ lemon

     1 tbsp olive oil

     handful mint, shredded

For the Greek-style salad

     1 ½ tsp red wine vinegar

     1 ½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

     100g baby spinach

     small bunch parsley, roughly chopped

     ½ red onion, finely sliced

     175g cherry tomatoes, halved

     ½ cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded and sliced

     75g black kalamata olives, stoned and quartered

Method

Crush together the garlic cloves and 1 tsp salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the herbs, lemon zest, cinnamon, some black pepper, crush a little more, then stir through 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Using a sharp knife, create lots of holes all over the lamb, and rub in the paste, pushing it deep into the holes. Transfer the lamb to a large food bag, pour in the lemon juice and marinate overnight.

The next day, take the lamb out of the fridge 1 hr before you want to cook it. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan / gas 3. Lay 2 long pieces of baking parchment on top of 2 long pieces of foil - one widthways, the other lengthways to form a cross. Pop the potatoes in the centre of the parchment and toss with the remaining oil and some seasoning. Bring up the sides of the foil, then pour the marinade from the lamb over the potatoes and throw in the bay leaves. Set the lamb on top of the potatoes and scrunch the foil together tightly to completely enclose the lamb. Lift into a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 4 ½ hrs until very tender.

Remove tin from the oven and increase the temperature to 220C/200C fan / gas 7. Unwrap the parcel and scrunch the foil and parchment under the rim of the tin, baste the lamb with the juices and return to the oven for a further 20 mins until browned. Remove the lamb from the tin, wrap in foil and rest. Turn the potatoes over and return to the oven for 30 mins, then season with salt.

While the potatoes are cooking, stir together all the ingredients for the yogurt. Combine the red wine vinegar, oil and some seasoning to make a dressing for the salad. Toss together the remaining salad ingredients, adding the dressing when you're ready to eat. Serve the lamb with the potatoes and meaty juices, with the salad and yogurt on the side

Spicy lamb & feta skewers with Greek brown rice salad

 

Ingredients

300g brown basmati rice
500g lamb mince
1 tbsp harissa
50g feta cheese
1 large red onion, ½ thinly sliced, ½ grated
large handful parsley, roughly chopped
large handful mint, roughly chopped
85g pitted black kalamata olives, quartered
1 cucumber, diced
300g cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp olive oil
juice 1 lemon

Method

Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 mins. Cook the rice following pack instructions, then rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.
Heat the grill. Mix the mince with the harissa, feta, grated onion and seasoning. Form into 12 sausage shapes and thread onto the skewers. Lay on a non-stick baking tray and grill for 6-8 mins, turning until cooked through and slightly browned.
Mix the brown rice with the remaining ingredients and some seasoning. Serve alongside the hot skewers