Grilled Keftas with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce and a Cucumber, Tomato, Feta Salad

We were craving middle eastern last night and decided to revisit a recipe for grilled keftas (ground lamb skewers) and try out a yogurt-tahini sauce to bring to our friends' house for dinner. I threw together a quick tomato, cucumber, feta salad and served everything with pita, carmelized red onions and sauted yellow peppers. The keftas are an old favorite, the yogurt tahini sauce a new favorite, every bit of it was sopped up with pita!

Follow the link for the recipes...



GRILLED KEFTAS

2 pounds ground lamb
1/2 large red onion cut into chunks
5-6 sprigs parsley
3-4 springs cilantro
2-3 springs mint
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper

- Add all of the ingredients to a large food processor and process until very smooth

- Chill for about an hour

- Form the lamb into small sausage shapes and skewer with bamboo skewers (that have been soaked in water)

- Grill for 5-6 minutes, turning once

TAHINI-YOGURT SAUCE

1/4 cup tahini
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups yogurt
1 tsp cumin
scant tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
3-4 Tbsp chopped parsley

- In a bowl whisk together the tahini, lemon juice and oil until smooth

- Add the rest ingredients and whisk together

- Chill before serving

CUCUMBER, TOMATO, FETA SALAD

1 large cucumber, chopped
2-3 large, ripe tomatoes, chopped
3-4 oz. feta crumbled or diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and season to taste