Lamb Souvlaki & Black Olive Orzo

Cook Time : 2 hours 15 minutes 5 to 6 servings

Ingredients for Lamb & Marinade

  • 3 – 4 lbs. lamb
  • 1 tablespoons capers – plus 1 tablespoon caper juice
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves of garlic – chopped
  • 1/2 cup Italian parsley – chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce

  • 2 cup sour cream
  • 2 kirby cucumbers
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients for Black Olive Orzo

  • 1 lb. orzo
  • 2 - 6 oz. cans of California Black Ripe Olives – pitted (one can chopped and one can left whole)
  • 29 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup Italian parsley – chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers – plus 1 tbs. caper juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil – chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic – chopped
  • 5 vine ripe tomatoes – diced

Ingredients for Salad

  • 1 bunch of baby spinach
  • 1 bunch of Italian parsley – chopped
  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 1 cucumber – sliced thin
  • 1 bunch of radishes – sliced thin
  • 1 red onion – sliced thin
  • 8 oz. piece of feta cheese – crumbled
  • 6 oz. can of California Black Ripe Olives

Ingredients for Salad Dressing

  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 tbs. white vinegar
  • 3 tbs. white vinegar ¼ cup of olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Lamb and Marinade

  1. Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl.
  2. Rub the marinade all over the lamb and into the lamb crevices.
  3. Place the lamb in a baking dish and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
  4. Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
  5. Bake the lamb for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or to your desired doneness.
  6. Let the lamb rest about 8 – 10 minutes before slicing.
  7. Serve with fresh pita bread.

 

Tzatziki Sauce

  1. Combine all of the ingredients for the Tzatziki sauce in a blender and blend to desired creaminess.

 

Black Olive Orzo

  1. Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the chopped garlic, parsley, basil and capers. When the garlic is fragrant add the diced tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes soften over a gentle heat. Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer on a low, gentle heat. Add the seasonings and the olives and continue to cook on a low, gentle heat.
  2. Prepare the orzo as directed. Drain the orzo; add to the tomatoes and toss.
  3. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

 

Salad and Dressing

  1. Combine all of the ingredients for the salad and toss.
  2. Prepare the dressing and serve.
Recipe by:

Living the Gourmet