Grilled Lamb And Pineapple Skewers With Achiote Sauce

Total Time: 5 hrs 26 mins Preparation Time: 5 hrs 15 mins Cook Time: 11 mins

Ingredients

• wooden skewer
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon achiote seeds (annatto)
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon seeded and finely chopped jarred aji amarillo bell peppers or 1 tablespoon fresh habanero
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb lamb loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large red onion, quartered, halved, and cut crosswise
• 1 head butter lettuce, such as bibb
• lime wedge, for serving

Recipe

• 1 put wooden skewers in a pan of water for 30 minutes, so they don't burn on the grill.
• 2 heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. add the achiote seeds. turn off the heat and let the seeds steep until the oil turns a vibrant orange-red, about 5 minutes. strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve into a blender: discard the seeds. add the vinegar, garlic, aji amarillo, cumin, salt, and pepper. cover the blender and puree until well combined.
• 3 place the lamb in a resealable gallon-sized plastic bag. add the achiote marinade, turn the bag to coat the lamb, squeeze out the air, and seal. refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• 4 preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high (you may also preheat the oven broiler.).
• 5 remove the lamb from the marinade; discard the marinade. thread the lamb onto the skewers alternating with pineapple and red onions. grill (or broil) the lamb skewers until they are browned on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes total cooking time. take care not to overcook or the lamb will become tough and dry. serve the lamb skewers on a bed of lettuce leaves and garnish with lime wedges. pull the lamb off the skewers onto a lettuce leaf and eat like a taco. for a great presentation, stick the skewers into a hole pineapple and put on the table with the lettuce and lime on the side.