Pairing with Navarro Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre, with its mystical mint and rosemary scents, beckons for lamb dishes. Here is an easy lunch or dinner recipe which captures the flavors of the Mediterranean and enhances the essence of the wine as well. The key to this dish is finding the freshest ground lamb and Greek style pita bread. Greek style pitas can be found at grocery stores and many Mediterranean/Arabic specialty food stores. They can be spotted by their thick appearance and like conventional pocket style pita breads they are meant to be folded, over, like tortillas. If you cannot find them try using a regular pita, don't cut, rather, fold in contents like a taco.

• 2 lb lamb
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs, preferably homemade^*
• 4-8 Greek style pita
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1/3 cup diced tomato
• 1/3 cup shredded Romaine
• 1/4 cup peeled, seeded and chopped cucumber
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 tsp. chili flakes
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried garlic
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1/4 tsp. chopped rosemary

Open Mourvèdre and let it breathe. Start your charcoal grill. In a mixing bowl, mix lamb, breadcrumbs and spices thoroughly, kneading with your hands like dough until thoroughly mixed. Form the meat mixture into 8 thick short sausage-like shapes. Cover and chill.

Chop the cucumber finely and mix with the yogurt thoroughly. Add a pinch or two of salt to taste. Chill until ready to serve.

Cook the Kefta meatballs on each side, making sure you monitor the cook rate, and never leave the grill unattended because the fat will drip and catch fire. You need to be ready with that grill cover to put over the flame to extinguish it. Cook until firm but slightly pliable to the touch. Do not overcook, you want these to be medium, juicy, with a little pink on the inside. Remove from heat and rest. Grill the pitas on each side until slightly brown.

Serve buffet style and allow guests to make their own, its easy and fun. You can opt to serve 4 really big pitas with 2 Kefta per pita, or slice Kefta lengthwise in half and use only 1 piece per pita. It all depends on the size of your appetite.

Serves: 4

^*You can make you own breadcrumbs really quick with hardened stale bread and a food processor, or use the small-holed side of a cheese grater.