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Summer Mezze Platter with Yogurt-Marinated Lamb Skewers Recipe


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3.8 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Lea
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings
  • Diet: Halal

Description

A vibrant and flavorful Summer Mezze Platter featuring tender yogurt marinated lamb skewers grilled to perfection, accompanied by marinated artichokes with feta, creamy cucumber salad, seasoned pearl couscous, and classic mezze sides like charred eggplant dip, olives, warm pita bread, pickled red onions, and fresh seasonal ingredients. This dish is perfect for warm-weather gatherings and offers a delightful balance of Mediterranean-inspired tastes and textures.


Ingredients

Yogurt Marinated Lamb Skewers

  • ½ lb Greek yogurt
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 2 lbs boneless American leg of lamb, cubed 1 ½” pieces

Marinated Artichokes & Feta

  • ½ lb drained quartered artichokes
  • ½ lb feta cheese, cubed ½” pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp minced chives
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup olive oil

Creamy Cucumbers

  • 1 lb cucumbers, diced
  • ¼ lb Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp chopped dill
  • Kosher salt & black pepper to taste

Couscous

  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped dill

Remaining Mezze Ingredients

  • 1 batch charred eggplant dip
  • 1 (5 oz) jar olives, drained
  • Warm pita bread
  • Pickled red onions
  • Seasonal ingredients such as cherries, tomatoes, etc.


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, kosher salt, ground turmeric, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil until fully combined.
  2. Marinate the Lamb: Add the cubed boneless lamb leg into the marinade bowl and toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop. Before grilling, let the lamb sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  3. Prepare the Grill and Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Thread 5-6 pieces of marinated lamb onto each skewer, then drizzle with olive oil to keep the meat moist.
  4. Grill the Lamb Skewers: Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on one side. Flip and continue cooking until they reach desired doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F for medium-rare, then allow to rest for 3 minutes off heat.
  5. Marinate Artichokes and Feta: In a mixing bowl, combine drained quartered artichokes, cubed feta, minced garlic, chopped parsley, minced chives, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Toss gently to mix and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Prepare Creamy Cucumbers: In another bowl, mix diced cucumbers with Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped dill. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Cook Couscous: Cook pearl couscous according to package instructions, generally boiling in salted water until tender and drained. Stir in olive oil, chopped parsley, and chopped dill for fresh flavor.
  8. Assemble the Mezze Platter: Arrange grilled lamb skewers, marinated artichokes and feta, creamy cucumbers, couscous, charred eggplant dip, drained olives, warm pita bread, pickled red onions, and seasonal ingredients like cherries or tomatoes on a large serving platter. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
  • Letting lamb rest after grilling ensures juiciness and better flavor.
  • You can substitute pearl couscous for regular couscous but adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • If you don’t have a grill, lamb skewers can be cooked under a broiler or on a stovetop grill pan.
  • Marinating components in advance enhances flavors and time management for serving.
  • Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables or fresh herbs to customize the platter.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating time)
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean