lamb kebabs with mint pesto

Ingredients

For the pesto:
1 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil
 
For the kebabs:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds, ground in spice mill or in mortar with pestle
2 pounds trimmed boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch squares

Instructions

For pesto:
Blend first 7 ingredients in processor to coarse puree. With machine running, gradually pour in 1/2 cup oil; puree until almost smooth. Transfer pesto to bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

For kebabs:
1. Mix 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, coarse salt, and coriander in medium bowl. Add lamb; toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
2. Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Thread lamb on skewers alternating with peppers and onions. Place on baking sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with pepper.
3. Grill to desired doneness, turning occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes for medium-rare.
4. Arrange kebabs on serving platter. Drizzle each kebab very lightly with pesto and serve remaining pesto alongside.

*From Epicurious.com

Guinness lamb stew

This is a delicious recipe, but it takes a while on the stove so leave plenty of time or save it for the weekend.

Ingredients

8 tsp. olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped onion
1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 lb. boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 cups Guinness Stout
1 tbsp. tomato paste
3 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
2 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potatos
2 cups 1-inch-thick diagonally sliced carrot
8 oz. baby turnips, peeled and quartered
1 tbsp. whole-grain Dijon mustard
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tsp. oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, thyme, and rosemary; saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place onion mixture in a large bowl. Place flour in a shallow dish. Sprinkle lamb evenly with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Dredge lamb in flour, and shake off excess. Return pan to medium heat. Add 1 tbsp. oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add lamb mixture to pan; saute for 6 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Add browned lamb to onion mixture.
2. Add beer to pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until reduced to 1 cup (about 5 minutes). Return onion mixture and lamb to pan. Stir in the tomato paste; cook 30 seconds. Add broth and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Uncover and stir in potato, carrot, and turnips. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Stir in remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, the remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1 tbsp. mustard.
4. Sprinkle fresh parsley over each bowl.

*adapted from Cooking Light