Lamb kebabs with green yoghurt sauce

Name: Lamb kebabs with green yoghurt sauce
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 8 Bamboo skewers, or use rosemary branches - see notes below; 500 g Lamb leg steaks, cut into 3cm cubes (Main); 2 Tbsp Olive oil; 1 Tbsp Fresh oregano, chopped; 1 Tbsp Fresh mint, chopped; 2 tsp Bittersweet smoked paprika; 1 tsp Cumin seeds, toasted and ground; ½ tsp Coriander seeds, toasted and ground; 1 pinch Saffron; 2 Tbsp Olive oil; 1 medium Onion, finely chopped; ½ cup Mixed greens, such as mint, parsley, spring onion and rocket, well packed; ½ cup Natural yoghurt, thick and unsweetened

for 4 people

Kathy Paterson

Food writer and stylist.

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Barbecued lamb with a healthy spring green yoghurt sauce. The recipe for this sauce originally featured in The New Zealand Vegetable Cookbook.

Lamb

8	Bamboo skewers, or use rosemary branches - see notes below
500 g	Lamb leg steaks, cut into 3cm cubes (Main)

Marinade

2 Tbsp	Olive oil
1 Tbsp	Fresh oregano, chopped
1 Tbsp	Fresh mint, chopped
2 tsp	Bittersweet smoked paprika
1 tsp	Cumin seeds, toasted and ground
½ tsp	Coriander seeds, toasted and ground

Green yoghurt sauce

1 pinch	Saffron
2 Tbsp	Olive oil
1 medium	Onion, finely chopped
½ cup	Mixed greens, such as mint, parsley, spring onion and rocket, well packed
½ cup	Natural yoghurt, thick and unsweetened

Directions

Soak the skewers in cold water for at least an hour. This helps prevent them from burning, but not altogether.
Place all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add the lamb and toss to combine. Cover and set aside while you make the green yoghurt sauce.
Soak the saffron in 1 tablespoon of boiling water. Heat a frying pan over a low heat, add the oil and onion and cook until soft, but not coloured. Cool, then place, in a food processor with the remaining ingredients (including saffron liquid) and process until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spoon into a small serving bowl. If you can, make the sauce and leave to sit for about half an hour to allow flavours to mingle. This is a thick sauce, so add more yoghurt if you prefer it thinner.
Heat the barbecue to medium-high or use a large frying pan. Lightly oil.
Thread 3 pieces of lamb on to each of the soaked skewers and place on the barbecue. Cook for 6-7 minutes, turning as they cook to brown and cook evenly.
Serve lamb skewers with the bowl of green yoghurt sauce and steamed green vegetables.

Chef's tip

Try using rosemary branches as skewers. The rosemary imparts flavour as the meat cooks. Strip most of the leaves off, leaving just a few at the top. Older rosemary sticks are easier to skewer with.