Turkish Lamb Kebabs: 2000s Recipes + Menus : gourmet.com

2000s Recipes + Menus

Serves4

Active time:45 min
Start to finish:50 min

May 2005

Ground Urfa and Maras peppers are flavorful without being fiery. If you find only one, use 1 tablespoon of it.

1 medium red onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 medium tomato, diced (3/4 cup)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 tablespoon Urfa pepper
1/2 tablespoon Maras pepper
6 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 (1 1/2-lb) piece boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 32 (1-inch) cubes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 (10-inch) square pieces soft lavash bread

Special equipment:

8 (10-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes

If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderate.
Stir together onion, parsley, tomato, oregano, Urfa and Maras peppers, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Pat lamb dry, then toss with black pepper, 1 tablespoon oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and thread 4 lamb cubes onto each skewer, leaving a little space in between cubes. Brush lavash (on both sides) with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and transfer to a platter.
Grill lamb, covered only if using a gas grill, on lightly oiled grill rack, turning over once, until medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer lamb skewers to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
Grill lavash, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once, until just heated through and lightly browned but still flexible, about 45 seconds total.
Remove lamb from skewers and divide among pieces of lavash. Top lamb with tomato mixture and roll up lavash to enclose lamb. Serve immediately.

Cooks' note: If you aren’t able to grill outdoors, lamb can be grilled in a large well-seasoned ridged grill pan (without crowding) over moderately high heat, turning over once, about 8 minutes total for medium-rare. Lavash can be heated in 4 batches in grill pan over moderately high heat, turning over once, about 1 minute total per batch. Wrap in foil to keep warm.

Recipe by John Willoughby

Photograph by Romulo Yanes