Spicy Kofta Burgers Recipes

LAMB KOFTA BURGER

Steps:

• For the tahini-yogurt sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, tahini, salt, lemon zest and juice and 1 tablespoon water. Cover and reserve in the refrigerator.
• For the pickled turnips: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 1/2 cups water with the cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, bay leaves, garlic, beets and turnips. Bring to a quick boil to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve the turnips only; discard the beets, bay leaves and pickling brine.
• For the garlic butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and garlic and cook until fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the parsley and mix well. Set aside in a small bowl.
• For the lamb kofta burger: Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat.
• In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground lamb, garlic, onion, parsley, allspice, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together to evenly distribute the spices, being careful not to overmix. Divide into six equal portions and shape into a round, tight patties, about 4 inches wide.
• Place the patties on the grill, spaced 3 inches apart to prevent flare ups. Grill for 3 minutes on the first side to develop a crust. Flip, and cook on the second side until medium-well, 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Brush the cut sides of the brioche buns lightly with garlic butter and toast on the grill until golden and crisp, 5 to 10 seconds. Flip, and toast the outsides until lightly toasted, another 5 to 10 seconds.
• To assemble: Layer the bottom buns with a burger, some tahini sauce, pickled turnips, lettuce, tomato and onion. Cover with the top buns and serve immediately.

LAMB KOFTA BURGERS WITH SUMAC YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add your ground lamb, onion, tomato, parsley and spices.
• Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients together until all are combined.
• Begin shaping into round burger shaped patties, about 1/4 pound each. You should be able to make 6 burgers with 1.5 pounds.
• Make a hole in the center of your burger with your finger, this is supposed to help with keeping the burger the same size and not shrinking.
• Place on heated medium/high grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-well.
• Remove from heat and assemble on your choice of bread. Add lettuce, tomato, onion, yogurt sumac sauce and even some feta cheese for an added bonus.
• Enjoy!

LEBANESE-STYLE SPICY BEEF KOFTA KABOBS

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, prepare spice mix by combining salt, white pepper, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ginger and nutmeg. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onion, parsley, mint and spice mix with your hands until thoroughly combined.
• Form mixture into eight uniform logs. Skewer each log and hand-form tightly and evenly around the skewer, pulling the meat lengthwise from the skewer's tip toward handle. Leave about four inches of exposed skewer for a handle. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight covered in plastic wrap before grilling.
• Grill skewers over medium-high heat until browned on all sides and cooked through (160° F internal temperature), about 2 minutes per side.