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1
Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear mixture to a coarse paste.
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2
Mix the paste and the remaining 1 tablespoon salt with the meat, onion, parsley, and spices.
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3
Line a pan with aluminum foil.
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4
Divide the meat mixture into 28 rough balls.
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5
Mold each piece around the pointed end of a skewer (if you use wooden ones, soak them in water for 15 minutes before threading them), making a 2-inch oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer.
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6
Lay the skewers on the pan, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
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7
Heat a grill pan over medium heat or prepare a grill.
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8
Brush the pan lightly with olive oil.
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9
Working in batches, grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until brown all over and just cooked through, about 6 minutes.
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10
Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tzatziki and flat bread.
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11
Tzatziki: Yogurt Sauce (Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce)
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12
2 cups plain whole milk yogurt or 1 cup Middle Eastern-style plain yogurt
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13
1 medium cucumber, peeled, halved, and seeded
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14
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus a pinch
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15
1/2 clove garlic
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16
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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17
1 teaspoon lemon juice
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18
1/2 teaspoon dried mint, crumbled
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19
If you're using plain whole milk yogurt, line a small sieve with a coffee filter.
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20
Put the yogurt in it, set it over a bowl, and refrigerate 12 hours.
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21
Discard the expressed liquid and put yogurt in the bowl.
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22
Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into another bowl.
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23
Sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons salt and rub into the cucumber with your hands.
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24
Set aside 20 minutes, then squeeze the cucumbers to express as much liquid as possible.
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25
Smash the garlic, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste.
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26
Stir the cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and mint into the yogurt.
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27
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
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28
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
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29
Ease of preparation: easy
