Backyard Mediterranean Burgers Food

EASY MEDITERRANEAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine ground chuck, roasted red peppers, parsley, oregano, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, mix well. Portion into four patties and grill to 160° F internal temperature. Serve burgers on buns and top each burger with crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers and fresh arugula.

JUICY MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE SALMON BURGERS

Steps:

• Place about 1/4 of the salmon in the bowl of a large food processor. Add mustard. Run processor until the mixture is pasty. Transfer to a bowl.
• Place the rest of the salmon in the food processor, and pulse just a couple times until coarsely chopped into ¼-inch pieces (do not over process this second batch of salmon, it should not get too fine or pasty, it should still have some texture.) Transfer to the same bowl.
• Now add the minced green onions, parsley, and spices (coriander, sumac, paprika, black pepper). Season with kosher salt. Mix well until the mixture is combined. Cover and chill in the fridge for about 1/2 hour.
• While the salmon chills, prepare the toppings. Make the Greek Tzatziki Sauce according to this recipe. Prepare the arugula, sliced tomatoes, and the remaining toppings and buns to serve.
• When ready, take salmon mixture out of the fridge. Divide into 4 equal parts. Form into 1-inch think patties.
• Place bread crumbs on a plate. Place each patty in the breadcrumbs plate and press to coat on one side, turn over and press on the other side to coat. Place the breaded salmon patties on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Cook salmon patties. Heat about 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Lower each of the patties carefully and cook, for 2 to 4 minutes, turning over once, until lightly browned on both sides and medium-rare within), (adjust heat as necessary during cooking to keep things sizzling and cooking well but without scorching the bread crumbs.) (minimum internal temp should be 115 to 120°F on an instant-read thermometer for medium-rare.)
• Set cooked salmon burgers onto paper towel to drain any excess oil; sprinkle lightly with Kosher salt if you like. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top.
• Assemble in prepared buns. Spread the buns with a bit of tzatziki sauce. Add the salmon, then layer on the arugula, tomato and onion slices...enjoy!

ULTIMATE BACKYARD BURGER

Steps:

• For the ketchup: Saute the shallots and garlic in the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat until translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the honey and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, corn syrup, vinegar, sugar and chipotle puree and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor, adding vegetable stock if the ketchup is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the mustard aioli: Combine the lemon juice and egg yolk in a food processor. Whisk together the canola and olive oil, and then slowly stream in until the mixture is thick and emulsified. Alternatively, this can be done in a mixing bowl with a whisk. Add the mustard, mustard powder and salt and combine. Season with more salt if needed.
• For the burger: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the grill to high heat. Brush both sides of the bacon with some of the smoked chili ketchup. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Gently fold the butter into the ground meat along with the paprika and cumin. Form the beef mixture into 6 patties, and sprinkle both sides liberally with salt and black pepper.
• Brush the brioche buns on each side with olive oil and grill the insides until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Grill the burgers until medium rare, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once you flip the burger, add a thick slice of the cheese to each and keep the cover closed to let melt.
• Spread the mustard aioli on one side of the buns and the smoked chili ketchup on the other. Place the burgers on the bun cheese-side up and top each with 2 strips of bacon.

BACKYARD MEDITERRANEAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Lightly oil grill. Heat barbecue to medium.
• Whisk egg in a large bowl.
• Crumble in beef.
• Sprinkle with onion, basil, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and ground coriander.
• Using your hands or a large wooden spoon, mix just until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Shape into 4 burgers about 3/4 inch thick.
• Grill with lid closed until firm when pressed and well done, 5 to 8 minutes per side.
• Serve in warm pitas topped with honey-mustard mayonnaise, cucumber, tomato and watercress or spinach.

MEDITERRANEAN VEGGIE BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, breadcrumbs, egg, spinach, onions, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, and salt in the food processor. Pulse until the garbanzo beans are mostly smooth. DO NOT over-process--a few chunks are fine.
• Scoop the mixture into a bowl and fold in the roasted red peppers, feta, and olives.
• Spray a cookie sheet well with pan spray. Shape the mix into 6 equally sized patties, flattening slightly, and place on the cookie sheet.
• Bake the burgers in the oven for 20 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the burgers and continue to cook for an additional 20 minutes, until golden brown.
• Serve on a toasted burger bun with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce if desired.