Lamb Feta Party Bites
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I think of Greek food, I always think of lamb, olive oil, feta cheese. Each component was made separately. I skewered marinated lamb and olive oil brushed chunks of bread to assemble the perfect Greek party bite. I used minimal ingredients, making this easy entertaining.
The meze is similar to a tapas in that it’s not an appetizer or main course, but an eating experience with friends and family, where you take a bite of this, a bite of that. It could be a dish of olives, sliced crisp cucumbers, meat balls, dolmades, zucchini fritters, all meant to be shared and eaten with ouzo or wine.
I remember in graduate school we were told a story about two groups of people living in community. Both groups had a challenging problem. They had a big pot of stew sitting in the middle of the group, but the spoons were three feet long and by the time they would bring it to their mouth, it would fall off. The people in one group kept trying to feed themselves, but they eventually failed and starved. The other group ate and thrived. They realized that if they took the large spoon and fed each other, everyone could eat.
That story has always stuck with me. I’m a sharer by nature, and I like to eat with a group, sharing bites, and having good conversation. The Greek meze resonates with my soul, and probably yours too.
Meze isn’t something you do alone. The more people involved, the more dishes at the table and the more variety in taste, texture and flavor. The best part (outside of the ouzo) is the sharing conversation, food and life with everyone at the table.
It seems that Greek food is loved universally as is all Mediterranean inspired food is. All one needs to do is say, “Greek food” and we salivate for sultry and salty flavors, feta cheese, oregano, and lamb, often brightened up with lemon or orange citrus.
I took a little liberty and put my own twist to these skewers. They would be probably be a bit more authentic sitting atop pita bread triangles, but I love the chunky grilled bread that sops up the lemon and herb olive oil.
The good news of this recipe is that I used the same marinade for everything, the lamb, the cheese and the drizzling at the end. This is a one-bite party food, and needs to be easy.
Olive oil, lemon, hot chili flakes, garlic, herbs, drive that sultry Mediterranean flavor profile we all love.
You can replace the lamb with chicken or meatballs. You could use pita bread as the base of the meat, if you prefer. Have fun with it. It’s more of an idea than an exact recipe. This could be used as a dish to greet guests for a dinner party. The portion size shouldn’t be more than two bites. Serve with a dish of marinated Greek olives, and some ouzo.
Lamb Feta Party Bites
Ingredients
- LAMB
- 1 pound lamb shank end of leg of lamb or top round
- sea salt black pepper
- MARINATE INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup olive oil divided maybe more
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or one teaspoon
- Several sprigs of thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves smashed, chopped finely
- zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried or fresh
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 6-8 ounces feta cheese cubed
- BREAD - use a crusty loaf that has a chewy soft center that would be good for toasting on grill.
Instructions
- Trim fat from lamb and cut into cubes.
- Salt and pepper the lamb.
- MARINADE INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine remaining ingredients except the feta cheese and bread for the marinade.
- Use 3/4 of marinade for lamb. Refrigerate 24 hours.
- Marinate the feta cheese with remaining.
- Trim crust off bread and cut into large cubes. Brush with olive oil.
- TO COOK:
- Heat grill on high and skewer lamb and bread SEPARATELY on different skewers.
- Grill lamb turning once for 5-8 minutes (3-4 minutes each side).
- Grill bread turning once for 1-2 minutes to golden brown.
- ASSEMBLE
- Using large tooth picks, skewer bread, lamb and cheese. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve.
Notes
Please follow me on instagram. If you make this recipe, please tag me #spinachtiger.
If you love this recipe, please give it five stars. It means a lot. xoxo
Take a look at an array of meze when Laz of Lazaro Cooks features a round up on Friday.
I want to make for app at Easter. You have oregano and thyme in two spots for the marinade. and how long top marinate the tofu. Thanks.
These look delicious!
I can’t get over how absolutely stunning your lamb feta party bites are. They are calling my name. Love the presentation and food styling, so gorgeous! Have a great weekend, great job on the challenge! 😉
Great idea and gorgeous photos. I’m salivating!
What elegant bites these are! I love this marinade and like how you pulled it into each piece of the dish…really beautiful!
I’ve had lamb on the brain lately. Thanks for being another inspiration.
I had to come back and complement you again!
Angela, you always make things look so splendidly. These are delicious towers of flavor. FYI, the ancient Greeks often used bread with dishes so you are being very classical about it… pita came much later. I can’t wait to try lamb this way for a party snack!
These are great,been looking for an easy different dish to do as a canopy,love your photos too
The entire composition of these is delicious, but the marinated feta cheese really does it for me. I’d love to be at a party with these lovely little appetizers!
Love the tip you left about using one dressing/marinade in three different ways. It’s a great way to keep things simple. Love the flavors here. Pass the pita and tzatziki!
These looks scrumptious!! I love lamb and feta and I love that they are marinated in the same mixture. Easy peasy, the way throwing parties should be!
I’d gladly share a few these lamb feta bites – and the grilled bread to sop up that wonderful chili oil marinade is brilliant! Great easy entertaining idea and addition to the meze table 🙂
Wonderful flavors with this marinade. The bites look like wonderful party appetizers!
Really like the story from people living in community and eating. I agree with it too, sharing food is so much more enjoyable. This is a lovely meze, lamb was a great choice.
I think I’d park myself right in front of a tray of these if they were at a party! 😛
Sharing is caring. These would be a big hit at any occasion. Well done.
Delicious! Would be fab with haloumi too 🙂 YUM!
I think haloumi would work great too.
These are adorable — I would love to start any meal with them! Love how you made it easy by using the same marinade throughout the whole recipe.
How creative! I love what you have done here! And I think the bread works better than the pita. I also love that analogy about sharing…will remember that one!
Great meze Angela! Bet these disappear really fast.
Love the pot of stew story.
And the cute picks and thyme, terrific presentation!
LL
oh this is a fantastic appetizer!! must remember this one for the next gathering 🙂 great entry!
Opa! You know I would never turn down a delicious Greek meze. I made nibbles for a BBQ this weekend with friends.
Being Greek, I love this theme! Your meze sounds wonderful, quintessential Greek. Hosting a BBQ next week, I’m sure I’ll be picking up a lot of these recipes to use 😉
Angela…it’s absolutely wonderful…I am definitely making these real soon…OPA!
A wonderful idea! Great party food and lovely flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa