Latin Spiced Lamb Burgers Recipes

LATIN-SPICED LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Toast the pepper, coriander and cumin together in a dry pan over low heat until they crackle and pop (shake the pan constantly). Their color should be light brown, and spices should smell like toast, popcorn, smoky, etc. Pour them straight into a coffee grinder and blend the seeds to a fine powder. Add the lamb to a medium bowl and stir in all of the spices, the garlic and salt. Combine well. Form the lamb mixture into 6 even patties.
• Open the dried peppers and shake out the seeds (a few seeds left in is ok). Add the peppers to a saucepan with the water, and boil over medium heat until only 1/4 cup of liquid remains at the bottom. Add the peppers (with cooking liquid), sour cream, oil, garlic and lime to a blender, and blend it until very smooth. Add the salt and blend again. Pour in enough cream to thin the mixture to a saucy consistency. Pulse a few times to incorporate and get squirtable consistency.
• Grill the lamb patties and the ciabatta until nice, dark grill marks are everywhere (lamb is at its juiciest around medium-rare). Put about 1 teaspoon of the sauce on each side of the bun. Slice the patties in half to lay lengthwise on the bread. Crumble the Cotija cheese over the top. Dress Add the onion, tomato slices and lettuce. Cut sandwich lengthwise (along the seam of the lamb patty) and plate with the cross-section facing outward.

SPICED LAMB BURGERS WITH SPRING SLAW

Steps:

• Make the yogurt sauce:
• Whisk yogurt, oil, lemon zest, salt, and garlic in a medium bowl until combined.
• Do Ahead: Yogurt sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Make and assemble the burgers:
• Mix paprika, cayenne, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. black pepper in a small bowl.
• Shape lamb into 4 patties about 3/4" thick. Season with spice mixture on both sides.
• Heat oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Working in batches if needed, cook patties until underside is browned, 5-6 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on other side, 4-5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss asparagus, snap peas, onion, lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl.
• Generously spread yogurt sauce on cut sides of buns. Build each burger with a lamb patty and a mound of slaw. You will probably have extra slaw left over-serve it alongside.

SPICED LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• If grilling or broiling, heat should be medium-high and rack about 4 inches from fire. Put lamb and onion into a food processor (in batches if your machine is small) and pulse until coarsely ground. Put in a bowl with chili, coriander, cumin and turmeric, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix, handling the meat as little as possible, until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Handling meat as lightly as possible to avoid compressing it, shape it into 4 or more burgers.
• To broil or grill, cook about 3 minutes on each side for rare and another minute per side for each increasing stage of doneness. For stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, then add patties; cook, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes, then rotate them so they brown evenly. Turn once and cook for a total of about 6 minutes for rare.
• Garnish with diced mango, green and red pepper, red onion and scallion, and with shredded carrot and lettuce.

MOROCCAN-STYLE LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Blend the onion, ginger, garlic and fresh coriander in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the spices, apricots, lamb and seasoning. Blend until slightly chunky.
• Shape the lamb mixture into six burgers. Cook under a medium-hot grill for 4-5 mins each side until cooked through.
• Serve in wholemeal buns with the lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion and mayo.