Herbed Lamb Burgers Food

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.

HERB BUTTER-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Make the herb butter: Mix the butter, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch log. Wrap and freeze until firm enough to slice, about 20 minutes. Slice the butter log into 8 rounds.
• Make the burgers: Preheat a grill to medium high. Divide the ground beef into 4 mounds, place a slice of butter on each, then gently shape the beef around the butter to enclose. Press the beef into four 4-inch-wide patties (about 1/2 inch thick). Refrigerate until ready to grill. Set aside the remaining butter for serving.
• Season the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until well marked, 3 minutes. Flip and top each with a slice of cheese. Cook 3 more minutes for medium rare, covering during the last 15 seconds to melt the cheese. Grill the buns until toasted.
• Spread the remaining herb butter on the bottom buns. Serve the burgers on the buns with mustard, onion, tomatoes and lettuce. Skewer cornichons on toothpicks and insert into each burger.

STUFFED GROUND LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese and herbs; roll into 4 balls. Flatten each into disk on sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate 15 min.
• Mix meat, Worcestershire sauce and pepper just until blended; shape into 8 thin patties. Place cream cheese disks on 4 patties; cover with remaining patties. Press edges together to seal.
• Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add patties; cook 5 to 6 min. on each side or until done (160°F). Place burgers on bottom halves of rolls; cover with watercress and tops of rolls.