Hobnob With Kebobs

Celebrate Summer With A Few Skewers

(CBS)  Grilled Lamb Kebobs with Mint-Yogurt Sauce

Kebobs are made all over the Mediterranean, and in the eastern Mediterranean, lamb is the meat of choice.

If you like, remove the hot lamb from the skewers, tuck into pita wedges and drizzle with the sauce. Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, eggplant and zucchini, are often slipped into the pita as well.

Ingredients
Serves 6

3/4 cup plain yogurt
1 lb. lamb cut from the leg, shoulder or loin, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus sprigs for garnish
1 garlic clove, minced
3 Tbs. lemon juice
6 lemon wedges

Method:

1. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Spoon the yogurt into the sieve. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to drain.

2. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill. At the same time, put 6 bamboo skewers in water to cover.

3. In a bowl, combine the lamb and 2 Tbs. of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

4. In a small bowl, combine the drained yogurt, the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil, the chopped mint, the garlic and lemon juice. Stir to mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

5. Drain the skewers and thread the lamb pieces onto them, dividing them evenly. Place on the grill rack 4 to 5 inches from the fire and grill until browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Turn the kebobs and continue to grill until browned on the other side and medium-rare at the center, 4 to 5 minutes more, or until done to your liking.

6. Transfer the kebobs to a serving platter, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle the yogurt sauce over them. Garnish with the lemon wedges and mint sprigs. Serve immediately, warm or at room temperature

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Lifestyles Series, Small Plates, by Joanne Weir (Time-Life Books, 1998).