Apricot Mint Lamb Burgers W Green Mayonnaise Recipes

GREEK LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat an outdoor gas grill or an indoor griddle to medium (if working with an indoor griddle or skillet, you can just heat it once you prepare the meat mixture).
• Add the ground lamb (or mix of lamb and beef) to a mixing bowl. Add grated onions, garlic, fresh herbs, oregano, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and mix until everything is well combined.
• Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal balls. Using both hands, work meat into smooth spheres, then lightly press to form into patties. Arrange the patties on a large tray or dish, and with the tip of your thumb, press lightly to form a shallow, somewhat wide, depression into the center of each patty. (see cook's tip #2 below) Cover and refrigerate, if you have the time.
• Lightly oil the grill grates (or indoor griddle) and arrange the burger patties on top. Grill over medium heat, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once midway through cooking (internal temperature for a medium burger should register 160 degrees F. Adjust cooking time according to your desired doneness.)
• Allow the lamb burgers to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve in pita pockets (or buns), with tztaziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions. If you like add kalamata olives and a sprinkle of feta.

APRICOT & MINT LAMB BURGERS W/ GREEN MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Place first 7 ingredients for burgers in a bowl and mix well.
• Form into 4 burger patties and either grill or pan fry to medium well.
• Place the seasonings for mayo in a food processor and turn on low, adding oil in a slow stream.
• When all oil has been added, add lemon juice.
• Stir in shallots, watercress, parsley and pine nuts. Mix until all is chopped and blended well.
• Store in fridge until ready to use.
• When burgers are done, place on bun and top with green mayonnaise. Sliced apricots and cucumbers are delicious on these as well.

FETA, THYME AND MINT LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Put the lamb, crushed garlic, mint, chopped olives, tomato puree, salt and freshly ground pepper in a mixing bowl and mix well. Divide into four portions.
• In a separate bowl, mix the feta cheese with the thyme. It doesn't matter if it crumbles, just gently squeeze together.
• Take a quarter of the mixture into your hand and roll into a ball. Flatten out, put a quarter of the feta in the middle and then draw the meat up around it.
• Make sure the cheese is secure within the meat. Repeat with the other three burgers and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
• In the meantime, make the salad by mixing the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and olives together in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Whisk the olive oil, cider vinegar and honey together and pour over the salad.
• Heat a griddle pan until hot. Rub each slice of bread with the garlic clove and sprinkle with olive oil.
• Cook the bread on the griddle pan until brown on each sides. Keep warm.
• Now cook the burgers on a griddle pan. Turn once after five minutes, then cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.
• Spread the mayonnaise on the toasted bread. Top each slice with a freshly griddled lamb burger and a small handful of salad and serve at once.