LAMB AND FIG SKEWERS WITH HONEY AND ROSEMARY

Lamb and Fig Skewers With Honey and Rosemary image

This easy recipe bridges that strange period of cooking that falls at the end of summer, when there's a chill in the air, and grilling might require a sweater instead of a cold beer. Make sure your figs are very ripe, and allow the lamb several hours to marinate in the fridge.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large sprigs rosemary, leaves minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 and 1/4 teaspoons coarse kosher salt, more to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce or soy sauce
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 large ripe figs
1 and 1/2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch chunks
Chopped fresh mint leaves, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. (You don't need to soak metal skewers. If you are broiling the kebabs instead of grilling, skewers are optional.)
In a large bowl, toss together garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper and fish sauce, and stir well to dissolve the salt. Stir in oil.
Thread the figs on skewers; if you are not using skewers, spread the figs on a baking sheet. Make sure the figs don't touch one another. Brush with some of the rosemary marinade and set the figs aside.
Add lamb to the bowl with remaining marinade and toss well. If you have time, let lamb marinate in the fridge for several hours, or at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
Light the grill or heat the broiler. Thread the lamb on skewers or spread on a baking sheet, leaving room between the pieces to get more of a char. Grill or broil kebabs for 3 to 5 minutes, turning them once. (If broiling, cook as close to the heating element as possible. You don't need to turn them.)
Sprinkle lamb with fresh mint, then serve lamb and figs with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 390, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 538 milligrams, Sugar 24 grams