Grilled Lamb Bites with Black-Olive Oil

Contributed by Sang Yoon

SERVINGS: 8

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Father's Office • Santa Monica, CA

"This dish epitomizes the style of eating I love," says owner and chef Sang Yoon. "It's informal, easily shared and conducive to drinking and socializing because you just grab a skewer with your fingers." The grilled lamb and its luscious tapenade were inspired by Yoon's travels in southern Spain and North Africa.

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1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
11/4 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. In a blender, combine the olives with 1/3 cup of the olive oil and puree. Add the garlic, lemon zest, vinegar and rosemary and puree. Transfer to a serving bowl.
In a medium bowl, mix the cumin, paprika and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the lamb and turn to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Grill the lamb over high heat until medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and let stand for 5 minutes. Skewer each lamb cube with a toothpick. Transfer to a platter and serve with the black-olive oil.