Lamb Kleftiko With Herb-Pistachio Yogurt

Lamb Kleftiko with Herb-Pistachio Pesto Yogurt

Kleftiko translates to stolen meat, and it’s named after Greek rebels called the klephts, who challenged Ottoman rule of Greece and roamed the country from the 14th to 19th centuries. When they stole sheep, they would slow-cook them in covert pits to avoid being caught. Here, the traditional Easter dish features lamb shanks and potatoes gently braised in a lemony broth flavoured with oregano and mustard. A tangy, herby yogurt sauce brings a freshness and vibrancy to the tender meat and spuds.  Serves 6

Ingredients:
Herb-Pistachio Pesto Yogurt
1 stalk green garlic, white and light green parts only, or 2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh dill fronds, plus more to garnish
1/4 cup (60 mL) flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup (60 mL) shelled raw pistachios
1/4 cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
1 tub (500 g) full-fat plain Greek yogurt

Lamb
5 medium-size Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered lengthwise
1 large cooking onion, peeled, cut in 6 wedges
1 large tomato, cored, cut in 6 wedges
3 bay leaves
6 lamb shanks, about 6 lbs (2.72 kg) total, at room temperature
1/3 cup (80 mL) extra virgin olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) dried oregano
1 tbsp (15 mL) mustard powder
1 tsp (5 mL) sea salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground pepper
6 sprigs fresh oregano
Directions:
For the pesto yogurt, place garlic, herbs and pistachios in a food processor. Pulse a few times to chop. With motor running, slowly pour in olive oil, stopping and scraping down bowl as necessary, until it becomes a paste. Transfer 1 tbsp (15 mL) to a ramekin to garnish. Mix remaining pesto with yogurt. Transfer to an airtight container. (Cover and refrigerate both up to 2 days.) When ready to serve, transfer yogurt to a serving bowl and garnish with pesto and dill.

For the lamb, preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 16-inch (40-cm) round, 3-inch (8-cm) deep roasting pan or 3 × 11 × 16-inch (8 × 28 × 40-cm) rectangular roasting pan with parchment paper, overlapping on sides.

Place potatoes, onions, tomatoes and bay leaves in pan. Nestle lamb shanks in between vegetables.

In a medium-size bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, dried oregano, mustard powder, salt and pepper until creamy. Pour all over lamb and vegetables. Add fresh oregano.

Fold parchment on sides over lamb and cover with another piece of parchment. Tuck top parchment down sides, ensuring it is covered tightly to seal in moisture. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake in oven until lamb and potatoes are fork-tender, 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

Raise oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) and remove foil and top parchment. Bake until lamb is golden, 7 to 8 minutes.

Serve lamb and vegetables straight from pan accompanied by pesto yogurt.   Serves 6

Roasted Tomato & Garlic Dressing

Roasted Tomato & Garlic Dressing

This is the fourth and final recipe completing the posting of "One Week of Salad Dressings".  This dressing requires 25 minutes to prepare, due to roasting the tomatoes and garlic cloves   This collection is from the monthly publication of a grocery store in London.  It features the most mouth-watering photos and recipes to get your taste bus secreting.  Refrigerate any of these dressings 4 days or freeze in an ice cube tray then a sealed bag for 1 month.

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to 425*F  (220 C)

Arrange a Pint  (400 ml)  pack of cherry tomatoes on a baking tray, Season.: 

Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar.  

Roast for 5 minutes and toss through  

1 tablespoon fresh oregano  

6 unpeeled garlic cloves.  

Roast10 minutes more, then set aside.

Once cool, peel the garlic.  .  

Puree in a blender the tomatoes, garlic, and oregano plus any juices.  

Place in a jug or jar and add  

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar. 

2 tablespoons water and season..

Lentil Salad

Lentil Salad

This healthy salad, inspired by the tastes of the Mediterranean, is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled lamb or chicken. Use green lentils for this recipe because they hold their shape when cooked; red lentils do not.  Serves 8

Ingredients
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) chili flakes
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) green lentils
Water to cover
1 bay leaf
2 slices lemon, about 1/2-inch (1-cm thick)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Dressing
3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon rind
½ cup (125 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh oregano, chopped

Garnish
6 oz (175 g) feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup (125 mL) black olives pitted and sliced
2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh oregano or ½ tsp (2 mL) dried
½ red pepper, finely diced
½ green pepper, finely diced
½ yellow pepper, finely diced

Directions:
In a pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté, stirring, for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in chili flakes.

Add lentils and cook, stirring, until lentils are coated with the seasoning mixture.

Add water to cover lentils, add bay leaf and lemon slices, squeezing them gently. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Season well with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess water and remove the lemon slices and bay leaf.

Mix together dressing and toss with warm lentils. Cool and then sprinkle with feta cheese, black olives, oregano and peppers. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve on platter.
Serves 8

Greek Porkchops With Potatoes And Squash

 

Greek Porkchops With Potatoes And Squash

Ingredients:
4 (1-inch-thick) frenched pork loin chops
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 medium yellow squash, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 large zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 pound small red potatoes, quartered

Directions

Place pork chops in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano, pepper, and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt; reserve 2 tablespoons marinade. Pour remaining marinade over pork, turning to coat. Chill 1 to 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine squash, zucchini, potatoes, and reserved marinade. Spread squash mixture in an even layer on a heavy-duty aluminum foil-lined rimmed sheet pan.

Remove pork from marinade, discarding marinade. Pat dry with paper towels, and place on top of squash mixture.

Bake 25 minutes. Increase temperature to broil, and broil until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 140°F, about 5 minutes. Transfer pork to a serving platter, and cover with foil. Return pan to oven, and broil squash mixture until slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer squash mixture to a serving bowl; toss with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and serve with pork.

Greek Lemon Chicken And Potatoes

 Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes:

1 whole chicken, about 4 pound, cut in sections, 

OR 4 pounds chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on

3 russet potatoes, cut in quarters

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp dried rosemary

1 rounded tablespoon dried oregano

pinch of cayenne

6 cloves of garlic, finely minced

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 

1/2 cup olive oil

2/3 cup chicken broth for the pan, plus a splash to deglaze after roasting

fresh chopped oregano to garnish

Directions:

Place chicken pieces in a bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper and dried herbs, with hands mix the chicken and coat well with marinade.  Add potatoes and toss well.  Refrigerate for 2 or more hours.

Place chicken on baking sheet spacing for potatoes.  Add 2/3 cup chicken broth or water to prevent marinade from burning on bottom of baking sheet.  

Spoon marinade on the tops of the chicken pieces.

Roast at 425 for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is well browned and cooked through.  Serves 4