Lamb Burgers With Charred Tomatoes And Feta 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.

GRILLED LAMB AND FETA BURGERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the lamb, garlic, feta, allspice, parsley, salt and pepper, making sure not to overwork the mixture. Form the lamb mixture into 4 to 6 patties.
• Heat a grill pan over moderately-high heat and cook the lamb burgers until a nice crust forms, about 4 minutes. Turn the burgers over and let cook another 4 minutes. Let the burgers rest 10 minutes. Serve topped with Easy Tzatziki on a roll or bun.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Chill.
• What Really Makes This Recipe Sing: Allspice is one of those secret weapons in savory foods. You can't put your finger on it, but you know it is there. It was named by the English, because they thought it contained cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Shh, it is also the secret ingredient in Cincinnati-style chili.
• What to toss in if you have it: Feel free to add some chopped fresh mint to this as well. Having a cocktail party? BYOC and makes these into mini's. Grab one before you serve because they will disappear fast.

LAMB BURGERS WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Divide lamb into 8 portions of equal size. Shape each into a patty and sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle top of each patty with an equal amount of cumin and rosemary. Pat to help the herb and spice adhere.
• Patties may be broiled or cooked in a skillet. If broiled, preheat broiler to high. Place patties on a baking sheet and place about 3 inches from source of heat. Broil them 2 minutes if you wish them rare, 4 minutes for well done. Turn patties and cook 1 minute if you wish them rare, 2 minutes for well done.
• If patties are cooked in a skillet, select one large enough to hold them in one layer. Brush skillet with a little oil and heat thoroughly on stove. Cook patties over moderately high heat for 2 minutes if you wish them rare, 4 minutes if well done. Turn patties and continue cooking 1 minute for rare, 2 minutes for well done.
• However the patties are cooked, top each with a portion of feta cheese.
• Place under broiler, preheated to high, about 3 inches from the source of heat. Let broil about 1 minute. Dot center of each patty with half a teaspoon of finely chopped parsley.

GREEK LAMB-FETA BURGERS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Set 4 whole garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium-high heat; toast until spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Peel, mince and set aside.
• Break up lamb in a medium bowl. Sprinkle roasted garlic, feta, oregano, salt and pepper over meat; stir with a fork to combine. Divide into 4 portions. Toss meat back and forth between cupped hands to form a ball. Pat with fingertips to flatten to about 4 inches wide. Refrigerate.
• Mix cucumber, sour cream, mint, vinegar, 1 minced clove of garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Refrigerate sauce until ready to serve.
• Build a hot fire on one side of grill. Replace rack. When coals are covered with white ash, add burgers. Cover and cook, turning only once, until done, about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium to medium-well burgers.
• Grill pitas until spotty brown and warm, a minute or so per side. Split crosswise. Spread a couple of tablespoons of sauce over 4 pita halves. Top each with an onion slice, a tomato slice and a burger. Spread a portion of the remaining sauce over each burger. Top with remaining pita halves.

GRILLED LAMB BURGERS WITH YOGURT-FETA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high. Pluck parsley leaves and tender upper stems, discarding tough lower stems. Chop half of parsley (you should have about 1/2 cup packed). Gently fold half of chopped parsley into lamb just until evenly combined (do not overmix, or patties will be tough). Form into 4 patties slightly wider than buns, each about 1/2 inch thick. Season generously with salt and pepper; brush with oil.
• Stir together cheese, yogurt, and remaining 1/4 cup chopped parsley; season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, stir together tomato, whole parsley leaves and tender stems, and oil; season with salt.
• Brush grates with oil and grill patties, flipping once, until charred in places and cooked to desired doneness, 5 to 7 minutes for medium-rare; 9 to 11 minutes for medium. Transfer to a plate and let stand a few minutes. Meanwhile, grill split sides of buns just until charred in places, about 30 seconds.
• Divide patties, yogurt-feta sauce, and tomato salad evenly among buns. Serve immediately, with fries.

MINTED LAMB BURGERS WITH FETA AND HUMMUS

Steps:

• Mix first 7 ingredients in medium bowl; shape into four 4-inch-diameter patties. Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to skillet; cook until bottoms are well browned, about 3 minutes. Turn patties over and top with feta cheese. Continue cooking to desired doneness, about 3 minutes longer for medium-rare.
• Place roll bottoms on plates. Top each with onion, burger, lettuce, another onion, and hummus. Press on roll tops.

FETA-STUFFED LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until blended. Stir in cucumbers. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Mix meat, onions and pepper just until blended; shape into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) patties. Spoon 1 Tbsp. feta cheese onto center of each of 4 patties. Top with remaining patties; pinch edges together to seal. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat grill to medium heat. Grill patties 4 to 5 min. on each side or until done (160°F). Spread half the cream cheese mixture onto bottom half of rolls; fill rolls with burgers, tomatoes and remaining cream cheese mixture.

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.

FETA LAMB BURGERS WITH CUCUMBER-TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare burgers: In a large bowl, combine lamb, feta, mint and salt and pepper to taste. Divide evenly into four balls. Flatten each ball into a patty no more than 3/4 of an inch thick.
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat enough oil to just coat the bottom.
• Place burgers in hot skillet; cook about 10 minutes, reducing the heat if the burgers seem to be browning too quickly. After 10 minutes, turn the burgers and continue to cook, adjusting the heat as needed to ensure they are cooked all the way through, about 10 more minutes.
• To prepare salad: While burgers are cooking, combine tomatoes, cucumber, mint, vinegar, oil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
• To serve, place burgers on individual plates; spoon tomato-cucumber salad over each one.

LAMB & FETA BURGERS WITH MINTY YOGURT

Steps:

• First make the dip by mixing together the yogurt and mint with a little seasoning, then chill until ready to serve.
• Tip the lamb mince into a big bowl with the spices, chilli, herbs, Worcestershire sauce and egg. Season, then get your hands in and mix well. Divide the mixture into 16. Shape into burgers, pushing a cube of cheese into the centre of each and sealing in. Chill until just before your guests arrive.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the burgers for 1-2 mins until brown on each side, then transfer to a baking tray. Put in the oven for 5-10 mins until cooked through and piping hot. Pile onto a big plate and serve with the dip on the side.