Friday

Greek-Style Rotisserie Lamb and 50% Whole Wheat Pita Sandwiches


Forget the overly-sweet mint sauce ~  

There is something about the Greek way of grilling lamb, marinated in lemon, garlic, salt, pepper and fragrant dried oregano, that makes it irresistible and utterly delicious.

The anticipation (and aroma) while the spit slowly turns is part of the pleasure . . .  knowing that there will be a fine meal to come.  

This time I selected a smallish 4+ pound bone-in leg, minus the shank portion, I like to roast it slowly for maximum juiciness and flavor, so I use the 'indirect method' of roasting the meat on the Weber gas grill. (Front and back burner on medium heat, center burner in the off position.)




To go along, I served lemon-scented orzo with toasted pine nuts, and one of my favorite summer salads ~ Greek, with lots of goodies from the veggie garden; red tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, herbs as well as some marinated locally produced Feta cubes, a mix of Greek olives, and onion, all tossed with a fragrant red wine vinegar & herb vinaigrette.

It is one of my favorite meals, we don't have it often and we really savor it when we do.



HOWEVER . . .

The thing about lamb is that I don't find it anywhere near as appealing when served as leftovers.  Unless, that is,  it's thinly sliced, gently warmed and served in warm pita pocket bread with lots of other flavorful goodies tucked in.

Where I live the freshest pita bread comes from my own oven ~ If you've never made it you might be surprised to learn how fun and easy it is to make your own.  This time I used 50%  00 Italian flour and 50% home-milled whole wheat flour.





You can use a bread machine, stand mixer, or food processor to make the dough, or mix it by hand if you prefer.  (There is a link at the bottom of the page for the pita bread recipe.)

As I mentioned,  I'm not so fond of lamb leftovers, so when making a lamb roast, I always plan on making pita bread too, for the leftovers.  



(See the grapes in the background?  We planted the vines three years ago and this is the first crop!)  Can you tell I'm excited?!  :D  
They are so sweet and juicy . . . wish I could share some with you.

When assembling the stuffed pita sandwiches I add lots of other flavorful goodies and just a few thin slices of the warmed lamb.

Slices of red and yellow tomatoes, cucumbers, and baby salad greens from the garden (see below.) Thin slices of sweet purple onion, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki (cucumber & garlic, and sometimes dill, in plain yogurt)  then sprinkled with  ground Sumac* to add a bright finish.  

Incidentally, this is the first year I've grown this particular variety of yellow tomatoes; the name is 'Lemon Boy' ~ I highly recommend!  Medium to medium-large size they are bright yellow, meaty and juicy with few seeds and a nice, mild low-acid flavor.
Yum!  You might keep them in mind for next year.


*Sumac?  I love that stuff! It's delicious sprinkled on vegetables eggs, rice & other grains, pizza, chicken, fish and any kind of meat. Just a little sprinkle before serving really adds a nice bright flavor, to almost anything. It's slightly lemony and not spicy at all.







As many of you know our property is located in thickly wooded forest land ~ so most of our vegetables and herbs are raised in raised beds and containers.  

One of the things I like to plant each spring is a large container of baby mixed salad greens, I keep this one on the back deck near the kitchen door.  This one grows well under a huge Douglas Fir tree which the deck was built around.

 You can cut a few leaves from each plant and they will continue to grow, or you cut the entire plant and grow another pot or two, each two weeks apart, for successive harvests. The other advantage of planting these tender lettuces in pots is that you can move them to the shade in the hottest part of the day to prevent them from bolting (going to seed) prematurely.

(My kitty is old and she doesn't climb up to sample the greens, but it you have active pets, you might want to elevate the pots.)



I picked this particular mixed packet of seeds at a local (& ordinary) hardware store/nursery.    This one is offered by Plantation Products (in MA.), it's called "Italian Salad Blend" and contains 6 different Italian lettuces:

Attrazione
Bionda
Foglia di Quercia Rossa
Freckles  :)
Meraviglia delle quattro Stagione
Rossa di Trento

Along with other Italian varieties of greens:
 
Arugula 
Chicory: Pallo Rossa & Castelfranco 
Endive: di ruffec & Cornetto di Bordeaux
Spinach: Riccio d'Asti & Gigante d'Inverno
Swiss Chard: Argentata 


You can allow the plant to grow to full mature size, but I prefer to harvest when the leaves are small and tender.  We liked the variety, and I would definitely plant this mix again.




I'll miss you Greek Salad ~ 
It won't be much longer until we have to say good-bye until next summer.  
(By the way, this salad is also fabulous tucked into a pita pocket either plain or with some tzatziki spooned over, and you can add tuna, sliced chicken, sliced hard cooked egg, etc. to add protein.)



If you would like the recipe for the 50% Whole Wheat Pita bread, you'll find it over on the OUaP recipe blog, click here.


Thanks for stopping by friends! I hope you have a very nice weekend.

Until next time!  ~m


14 comments:

  1. Oh that salad looks so fresh and delicious

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  2. I like grilled lamb ..and it's a typical mediterranean way to taste it, very good, hugs, Flavia

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  3. Thanks for the tip on the Lemon Boys. I'm putting it in my gardening notes. I planted a lettuce mix (5 variety) in the garden this year and was so disappointed. I could only find 2 different varieties and one of them looked (and tasted) like weeds! Try, try again :)

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  4. another delicious and gorgeous meal from you, what would we do without you!

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  5. This is definitely a meal I can see appearing at my table. What a gorgeous shot of the roast cooking:D

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  6. I love the kitty and pot pic:) And the Lamb:)

    and .. really..your own vines?

    :)

    So glad they went forth and prospered.
    Thank you~:)

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  7. Oh my goodness, Mari...talk about sensory overload! Each photo just kept getting better & better!

    The lamb is luscious looking...we grilled tiny l.chops last night & there are 2 leftover for DH's lunch today. I've never tried to make pita bread, though.

    Your salad looks divine, esp. against that cobalt blue.
    We grew ONE plant of the low acid yellow tomatoes, just for fun. I liked them but DH wasn't thrilled. I bet if I blindfolded him, he wouldn't have known the difference. LOL

    Pat the Kitty for me, k?
    fondly,
    Rett

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  8. Hi Mari. I am so going to do the pita bread!! thank you for posting the recipe. you made such a great work with your blog, so professional!!! Ciao/Barbara

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  9. Mary, your lamb on a spit looks amazing.

    I love just about everything Greek.
    Your pita sandwich is like a beautiful painting. A work of art.

    Ann

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  10. Yummy :) Love lamb, pita bread with a nice spoonful of yogurt.

    I love that you returned the blog back to a white background. I think it highlights your gorgeous photos so much better :)

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  11. So much to love here - the salad, the lamb, the pita. I'm with you on the leftover lamb but I'd eat it in a flash in that warm pita pocket. Your photos are just stunning as always.

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  12. Absolute perfection...could not be better!
    L~xo

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  13. Mari, this looks perfect. My mouth is watering over that lamb! Yum!

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Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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