It is important to build relationships. If you build a good
relationship with your neighbor, your house will remain under a
watchful eye.
A relationship with a child’s teacher is essential for a quality
education. At the supermarket, it is very important to build a
relationship with the butcher.
It is important to build relationships. If you build a good relationship with your neighbor, your house will remain under a watchful eye.
A relationship with a child’s teacher is essential for a quality education. At the supermarket, it is very important to build a relationship with the butcher.
This week, I have a story about how valuable the shopper-and-butcher relationship can be.
The idea for this week’s recipe actually started a few months ago. I wanted to expand upon my herb garden. Besides having the staples of oregano, rosemary, basil and a few others, I wanted to expand into an herbal tea garden. One particular plant I wanted for a lovely tea was mint.
Knowing that mint can be very invasive, I planted it into a hanging basket. Since the basket was hanging outside of the backdoor, I was constantly reminded of its presence. Every time I walked past, I thought of different ways it could be used.
My mind started to drift one day. I was daydreaming of using mint with different grilled foods.
I came up for the idea of mint pesto and how complementary it would be when grilled into lamb. Wanting to create a unique twist to this recipe, I decided to use ground lamb and serve it on a skewer.
This should be an easy task, but this time it wasn’t going to be as easy to create.
Every so often, ground lamb is available in the meat case at the local supermarket. I would check at least once a week to see if any was in stock.
Like many people, I was satisfied to keep walking past and put off its purchase until it was in stock.
Luckily, I formed a relationship with one of the butchers by ordering holiday turkeys or hams through her. I asked about the availability of ground lamb.
She knew that there wasn’t any in stock. The supermarket does not carry it very often. Without hesitation, she offered to place an order for me.
Not only was I thrilled that someone at the supermarket was willing to go the extra mile for me, but I was also happy that I had my final ingredient.
That is the great thing about building a relationship with your butcher. They are always ready to help you with a particular selection.
If you need something cut special, they are more than happy to do it for you too. They will also share some of their own tips about favorite ways they cook at home.
I have found that the relationship with the supermarket butcher is one of the most important to establish at the supermarket.
A few days later, the ground lamb arrived. Once I came home, I started the preparations immediately.
I clipped the mint and washed it, juiced the lemon and blended my lemon mint pesto.
After soaking the skewers for a little while, I shaped the ground lamb and placed it onto the skewers. I allowed to pesto to marinate on the lamb for a little while.
After the skewers were off the grill, I couldn’t wait for the moment that had been building for a few months. I was delighted with the results. The mint and lemon gave the lamb a nice light flavor. Luckily, the lamb was not overly strong, either.
To round out the meal, consider a Mediterranean rice dish with grilled squash.
If you have not already built a relationship with your butcher, I suggest you speak with him or her very soon.
The butcher is a very important individual when you are looking for an item, need substitute cut of meat or when placing a special order. In my case, I would not have had the lamb to test the recipe this week.
Lamb Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto
(From Mitch Mariani; Serves 4)
1 pound ground lamb
1/3 to 1/2 cup mint leaves, loosely packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice from 1/2 lemon
8 bamboo skewers
Step 1: Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill. While the lamb is still in its package, cut it into 8 equal portions. Roll the lamb between both hands to create a cylinder shape about 3 inches long. Insert the soaked skewer lengthwise through the center of the lamb cylinder. Press the lamb to flatten it slightly. Be careful to not press it too thin, as it will fall of the skewer.
Step 2: To make the pesto, add the mint, salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice to a blender or small food processor. Pulse the machine until it is well processed.
Step 3: Spoon the pesto onto both sides of the lamb on the skewers. Allow the pesto to marinate on the lamb for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: Over a medium high heat, grill the lamb skewers for about 5 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
