Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Roasted Lamb Pita Sandwich with Tzatziki


My boyfriend Brian and I spent the weekend apart - he in Las Vegas at a wedding, me at my friend Melanie's birthday party and poolside here in Arizona.

A side note here that Melanie's birthday parties are legendary, it always involves late-night Rock-N-Bowl where we (in snobbish yet good spirited mockery) always go in costume. White trash one year, Jazzercise another year and this year...Second-String Super Heroes.

I was Beer Run Babe - saving the world, one six-pack at a time (center in photo), Melanie was Party Girl - rescuing the world's fabulous from one faux-pas at a time (left in photo) and Kelley was Wonder-Blonde (right)- saving the world's blondes from their dumbest moments. Happy Birthday Mel! Love you!

After Brian and I did so much partying apart this weekend, we had a quiet back-together supper and I roasted a leg of lamb using our favorite recipe.

Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, the smallest leg of lamb I could find was about 4 lbs, so we had serious leftovers. I adore leftovers, and tonight I made tzatziki and cut the lamb into bite-sized pieces for an easy weeknight supper. Just perfect with a glass of Shiraz.

Roasted Lamb & Tzatziki Pita:
(makes as many as you need, this is enough tzatziki for 2 pitas and next-day snacking)

Leftover re-heated lamb (about a cup, chopped roughly)
Pita bread
Lettuce

Tzatziki:
1 c Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 c sliced hothouse cucumber, seeded and chopped, skin on
1/4 c chopped parsley
1 tbs chopped fresh dill (about 2 tbs before chopping)
1 tbs chopped fresh mint (about 1/4 c whole leaves)
Dash white wine vinegar
Dash good quality olive oil (about a tsp)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Mix tzatziki, let stand. Toast pita bread or warm over oven rack. Warm lamb. Assemble pita sandwich with lettuce, tzatziki and lamb and serve immediately.

14 comments:

janelle said...

I am so coming to your house for leftovers:).

LOVED, LOVED the party costumes and loved the yearly themes. Giggling up here in Seattle.

I think I need a glass of Shiraz to go with your post; that should help the vicarious pita sandwich eating...

Janet said...

I love it!! That lamb looks like it was cooked to perfection!! I am going to make this one for sure! Thanks!

Janet said...

Oh... I also meant to comment on the other part of your post, but I got over-excited about the lamb...

Sounds like you had a FABULOUS girls weekend - I'm jealous. Great costumes! Happy Birthday Mel!

Anonymous said...

Fun photo of the costumes! Isn't it fun to have that occasional "just the girls" nights?

Your lamb looks wonderful as well. I love having leftovers. :)

Maureen

Deborah said...

I have never made lamb before - definitely something I need to try.

Your girls night out looks like it was a blast - makes me sad that most of my friends don't live around me anymore....

Anonymous said...

Yeah, the terrible misfortune of leftover lamb. I usually just sit there with a nice sharp knife and tear at the lamb with my bare hands. The knife is in case anyone else shows undue interest in the lamb.

Your use of leftovers here looks nice, though, too.

Unknown said...

I love it when I can make a whole new dish out of leftovers - there is something so satisfying about that. This looks delicious. I've never cooked lamb...I'll have to do something about that.

Melanie said...

K - thanks for coming to my 3rd annual bowling bash...it wouldn't have been the same without you!

xoxo
M

PS - thanks for the birthday wishes Janet!

Kirsten said...

Thanks Janelle - leftovers are the best - when it's a delicious leg of lamb. :)

Thanks Janet - the lamb roast is fool-proof, I do hope you try it!

Maureen, thanks! Girls nights are so fun - I am lucky to have such great girlfriends.

Hi Deborah! Do try lamb - now that I have I wish I would have done so earlier!

Terry B - too funny. Yeah, it's a tough problem, similar to the disastrous too much basil in the garden, an extra lobster or two, too much champagne, etc,

Thanks Christine!

Happy B-Day Mel, the party was great. :)

Peabody said...

Oh your friends birthday sounds like so much fun! Love the costume idea.
I'm sure you can figure out what to do with all the extra lamb.

Kelly-Jane said...

Sounds like a great weekend! Great costumes you all look really happy :)and lamb pita looks fab too.

Kirsten said...

Thanks Peabody and Kelly-Jane, it was SUCH a fun party, and I am really blessed to have such fun, good friends. :)

Anonymous said...

You and your girlfriends are too cool! How fun!

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