In collaboration with #RobinsonsForGrownups.
These lamb mince skewers are seasoned with toasted cumin, fresh mint and feta cheese are inspired by one of the new flavours in the Robinsons Fruit Cordial range for grown-ups, and they are perfect for a summer BBQ. I don’t know if it’s just me, but now that the clocks have sprung forward it really does feel like Spring. All of a sudden, in Shetland, it’s not even dark yet come 8 pm. We’re on the stretch to the Simmer Dim, when, come mid-summer, the sun will briefly dip beneath the horizon and we’ll have long days to go out adventuring.
This also means BBQ weather! I can’t wait! Beach picnics, lunch in the garden sipping cold drinks, you know the sort of thing.
One of my favourite BBQ dishes are lamb skewers – they’re so easy to prep, and they, as well as a side salad, can be made in advance. This means less work during the actual BBQ. Just cooking and serving.
Inspired by the recently launched Crushed Mint & Lime Fruit Cordial for grownups from Robinsons, I’ve created these lamb, feta and mint skewers and served them with a tabbouleh side salad with a squeeze of lime.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE GRILLED LAMB SKEWERS
- lean lamb mince
- feta cheese – crumbled. Freeze any leftovers for use later
- fresh mint leaves
- whole cumin seeds – toast these in a dry pan and grind them in a mortar and pestle for the best flavour
- red onion – grated (you might need your swimming goggles for this!)
- salt and pepper – to taste
- metal skewers or wooden skewers – if using wood, soak them for 20 minutes prior so they won’t burn under the grill
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I’m not kidding about using swimming goggles when grating the onion. I had a flatmate back in Canada, way back when, who used to do the very thing when chopping onions. Grating onions is an extra tear-inducing activity. Be warned.
You could use ready ground cumin for this recipe, but I like toasting my own whole seeds and grinding them in a mini mortar and pestle. It’s cheaper to buy the whole seeds in bulk, and the flavour of the toasted cumin is one of my all-time favourite spices.
Pop everything into a bowl and, using your hands, knead it all together until it’s well combined. Divide the mixture into 12 pieces and form each piece into a sausage shape. Carefully slide onto your metal or soaked wooden skewers. You can, at this stage, leave the lamb skewers to chill in the fridge until needed later on in the day.
Same goes with the tabbouleh – prepare it in advance (using couscous or bulghar wheat) and leave to chill in the fridge until needed.
This recipe makes enough for twelve skewers, feeding 4-6 people (depending on how hungry they are!). You can halve the recipe, if needed, or freeze half for use later. Feta cheese freezes really well. I often drop frozen chunks of feta into my lunchtime shakshuka or defrost and use as if it was fresh.
Serve your grilled lamb skewers with the tabbouleh, flatbreads, plenty of plain, natural yogurt and a glass of Robinsons Crushed Mint & Lime Fruit Cordial – summer, in a glass, this.
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ROBINSONS FRUIT CORDIALS & FRUIT CREATIONS
Robinsons is growing up. They have recently introduced two new ranges for grown-ups: Fruit Creations and Fruit Cordial. The ranges have been specially created with adult taste buds in mind, with flavour combinations more suited to a grown-up palette. Fruit Cordial was created to offer a sophisticated twist to squash with combinations of real fruit and botanicals flavours. Fruit Cordial is presented in a beautiful glass bottle, each recipe is made with real fruit and contains no artificial colours or flavourings. They are available in Pressed Pear & Elderflower, Crushed Mint & Lime and Raspberry, Rhubarb & Orange Blossom.
I think they all taste fantastic; definitely dinner-party worthy. Simply dilute with plain water, or with soda water for a fizzy treat. A splash of Raspberry, Rhubarb & Orange Blossom works really well in a glass of Prosecco for a simple Bellini cocktail too.
Find your local Robinsons Fruit Cordial stockist on the Robinsons website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Search for the hashtag #RobinsonsForGrownups to find out more!
Grilled Lamb Skewers with Feta and Mint
Ingredients
for the grilled lamb skewers
- 800 grams lamb mince
- 125 grams feta cheese
- 1 large red onion grated
- 1 large handful fresh mint leaves finely chopped
- 1 tsp whole cumin seeds toasted and ground
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- olive oil to grill
for the tabbouleh
- 200 grams couscous
- 300 ml boiling water
- 250 grams cherry tomatoes finely chopped
- 0.5 cucumber finely chopped
- 3 spring onions finely chopped
- 40 grams fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves finely chopped
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lime juice only
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
to serve
- plain natural yoghurt
- flatbreads
- Robinsons crushed mint & lime fruit cordial
Instructions
- Place the lamb, feta cheese, onion, mint and cumin into a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Using your hands, combine all the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Divide into 12 pieces, forming each piece into a sausage shape. Thread onto metal or soaked wooden skewers.
- Preheat your grill to high. Brush the lamb with a little olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes for well done or 6-8 minutes for medium. Set aside to rest for five minutes before serving.
- For the tabbouleh, rinse the couscous until the water runs clear. Place into a bowl and pour over the boiling water and a teaspoonful of olive oil. Cover and leave for five minutes.
- Leave the couscous to cool and add the remaining ingredients. Gently toss and serve with the grilled lamb skewers, plain natural yogurt, flatbread and a cooling glass of Robinsons crushed mint & lime fruit cordial.
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Take a photo and tag @tangoraindrop or use the hashtag #elizabethskitchendiary and share on Instagram and Twitter. It would make my day to see your creations!
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This is a sponsored recipe post in collaboration with Robinsons, although all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
I’ve seen lots of Robinson’s inspired recipes recently…… The mint and lime cordial is definitely my favourite. Love your lamb skewers though….. I could devour the lost! x
Kate Williams says
Oh that looks gorgeous – we haven’t eaten lamb at all this year as I’m not a huge fan of roast dinners so this looks like the perfect way to eat it for me and I bet my kids would like it too.
Rae says
I’m going to try these skewers this week—love the combo of feta and lamb!
Nicolette Lafonseca says
I am an optimistic soul who believes alfresco dining will happen again and these will be perfect. I am wondering if I could substitute lamb for seitan to make a veggie one
Helen says
These look so good! They will be perfect for barbecues in the summer too. We love the new Robinsons cordials, I’ve not tried the lime and mint flavour yet so will definitely pick a bottle up in my next food shop.
Roxana says
This looks so good and comforting. The flavors are incredible. I also like the way you served with the salad.
Syama says
These skewers seem easy to make ! Lamb , cumin and mint – the perfect combination is you ask me 🙂 . DH loves to grill lamb, he will be all too excited to jump on this one !
Mellissa Williams says
These skewers sound absolutely amazing! I am going to have to pick up some of that Robinsons cordial too, sounds delicious!
Noel Lizotte says
I can’t wait to start grilling season! It’s slow to arrive in Ohio, but once the weather warms up, we’re all about it! I’ll bet we grill four times a week on average when the sun’s shining!
melve says
Wow, a new recipe for this summer, thanks for sharing your recipe. I’ve never tried this before but I love trying new recipes.
Heather says
These lamb skewers look so delicious! I love using minced lamb in pan-fried patty recipes. I cant’ wait to pull out the grill and make this skewer version!
April says
Don’t these look delicious! I love cumin. It’s one of my favorite seasonings. I too can’t wait for long fun summer days! I noticed that you used minced lamb. I don’t think I’ve ever seen minced lamb in the stores here in the states. I’ll have to look into it. I absolutely love the idea of having lamb skewer I just need to find the minced lamb.
Mirlene says
Salivating over the pictures. I absolutely love cumin. AND I LOVE LAMB. Plus to add the hint of mint into its is simply just perfection. To be honest I never had lamb on skewers- so this, I must try. Love the idea of having bbq lamb skewers for summer gatherings. I’m not a big couscous dan, I’ll probably have it with another grain or salad.
Wajeeha Nadeem says
I love feta cheese, mint and cumin together! These kebabs look perfect for BBQs, they would pair lovely with some naan and raita!
P.S. I didn’t know feta cheese could be frozen. Great tip! 🙂
Jyothi says
This skewers recipe sounds soooo yum. Lamb is my preferred meat after chicken and I can eat the whole bowl of couscous and the lamb!
Asia says
This dish seems amazingly tasty! I love the concept of using fresh mint leaves! I must try it!
Jenni says
These look delicious and that cordial has my mouth watering! I’m going to hunt for that next week x
Yvonne says
Yummy! Now that is is finally starting to warm up, I am starting to think of grilling and those lamb skewers look incredible!
Linda says
My husband and I love to BBQ and, living in Florida, do it 365/24/7. I’ve made lamb burgers but never tired this wonderful sounding herb and lamb mixture as a shish kabob. The way you described it with the roasted cumin seeds & mint sounds fantastic! The tabbouleh, which I usually make with quinoa, would go wonderfully with the lamb too. Great idea for our next BBQ.
Stephanie Simmons says
These look so yummy and easy! I love cooking with lamb as well! Can’t wait to try this
Anosa says
I do love lamb skewers these look real yummy plus I do love Robisons drinks not yet tried this cordials need to add them to my weekly shop.
Kacie says
I love Robinson’s and I can’t wait to check out the new juice range. Your recipe looks delicious too – lamb and feta are the perfect match!
Lianne says
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! I had something very similar for lunch today… I didnt make it myself though, sssh!! 😉
Bethany says
Oh my this sounds delicious.im definitely going to have to try this for dinner.