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Opa! Our big, fat Greek grilling guide

Add a Mediterranean flair to outdoor cookouts with 3 authentic recipes

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Opa! Grill some Greek cuisine
July 6: Chef Steve Chiapetti shows TODAY's Ann Curry some classic and delicious Mediterranean dishes.

Today Show Kitchen

TODAY
updated 10:59 a.m. ET July 6, 2007

Tired of decorating your barbecue meat with ketchup and mustard? Need a new, unique twist? Get the summer sizzling with authentic and savory barbecue dishes from acclaimed chef Steve Chiappetti:

Street Lamb Kebabs (Souvlaki)
Steven Chiappetti

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 t fresh thyme or 1 t dried
2 garlic cloves, crushed
Freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 lbs lean boneless leg of lamb trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
8 to 12 bay leaves
1 lemon, cut into wedges

For red pepper sauce:

6 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
2 T olive oil
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small red chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 T red wine vinegar
2 t dried oregano
Salt and pepper

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Marinate the lamb, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, garlic and pepper to taste in a bowl.  Add the lamb and mix well to coat.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat the grill on high setting to make the sauce. Coat peppers with olive oil and roast on grill until brown. Put the peppers in a plastic bag, seal, and let sit for 10 minutes to loosen the skins.

Peel the peppers and put into a blender or food processor with 1 T of olive oil, garlic, chile pepper, vinegar, and oregano.  Blend until completely smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat half of the grill to high and half to low. Divide the meat onto 4 skewers with the bay leaves.  Grill the kebabs over high heat and browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.  Brush the kebabs with any remaining marinade and transfer to the cooler part of the grill.  Cover and finish cooking until just pink inside, about 10 minutes. 

Serve with lemon wedges and the red pepper sauce.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


Grilled Chicken with Oregano and Lemon
Steven Chiappetti

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 medium chicken, 4-5 lbs cut into 4 pieces
Kosher salt and coarsely ground pepper
1 lemon, quartered
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup dried oregano
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Preheat grill to medium heat. Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Put garlic, 2 lemon wedges, oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.

Pour half of mixture over chicken. Place on grill and baste with remaining marinade and turn when browned on 1 side, cooking thoroughly, about 12- 15 minutes.

Take off grill when juices in between thigh and leg run clear.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES