10 eastern lamb recipes

Middle Eastern lamb kebabs (kofta) blend ground lamb with garlic, ginger, cumin, mint, and parsley before grilling on skewers. Serve with pita, salad, and yogurt for an authentic mezze dinner.

Lamb kebabs marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and ground coriander, then broiled on bamboo skewers until charred at the edges and pink in the middle. A Middle Eastern grill night classic.

Sabzi Koofteh: Persian-style giant meatballs of ground beef, rice, split peas, mint, and watercress, simmered in a turmeric-tomato broth. Served with yogurt and pickles for a one-pot Middle Eastern dinner.

Mageritsa is the traditional Greek Easter lamb soup served after midnight Resurrection Mass. Lamb offal, rice, dill and scallions in a tart avgolemono broth thickened with egg and lemon.

A delicious summer standard at our place. Easy to make with a mix of Southern European and Middle Eastern flavours. I use my Cucumber Raita (posted separately) to dress the lamb salad or you can use the quick yoghurt dressing provided here.

Herb-roasted rack of lamb crusted with rosemary, thyme, and garlic, then carved into chops and served with a glossy red wine pan sauce. An elegant Easter and holiday roast that's far simpler than it looks.

Tender lamb and fresh okra slow-simmered in a tomato sauce with whole garlic cloves and onions, finished with a bright squeeze of lemon. This Middle Eastern bamieh stew is rich, tangy, and deeply comforting.

Timen Ajami spiced meat skillet with ground beef or lamb, allspice, Madras curry powder, rosewater, dried currants, and chopped almonds. A fragrant Middle Eastern one-pan dish ready in 45 minutes.

Crispy phyllo triangles stuffed with spiced lamb, raisins, pine nuts, and warm cinnamon-cumin-allspice. A Middle Eastern-inspired appetizer that bakes lighter than fried, perfect for parties.