Kofta Burgers Food

DIY KOFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Tip the mince into a large bowl (use a clean washing-up bowl if you don't have anything big enough) with all the other burger ingredients and a good pinch of salt. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands into the mix and squelch everything together through your fingers until completely mixed. Pat the mix into 16 small burgers. These may now be frozen for up to 1 month or chilled up to a day ahead.
• To cook, heat grill to its highest setting and lay the burgers in a single layer on a baking tray (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your tray is). Grill on the highest shelf for 5-6 mins on each side until browned and cooked through. Pile burgers onto a platter and serve with all the accompaniments, so everyone can construct their own sandwich.

KEFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Soak the cubed bread in water for 10 minutes; squeeze dry and pulse in a food processor with the walnuts, grated onion, paprika, cinnamon, mint, cumin, cayenne, salt and black pepper. Add the dill and parsley; pulse again until smooth.
• In a bowl, knead the paste and beef together. Form into 8 patties. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush the patties with the olive oil. Grill 5 minutes first side, flip and finish cooking about 4 more minutes, or until the patties are cooked but not dried out.

KOFTA KEBABS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear mixture to a coarse paste. Mix the paste and the remaining 1 tablespoon salt with the meat, onion, parsley, and spices.
• Line a pan with aluminum foil. Divide the meat mixture into 28 rough balls. Mold each piece around the pointed end of a skewer (if you use wooden ones, soak them in water for 15 minutes before threading them), making a 2-inch oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer. Lay the skewers on the pan, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat or prepare a grill. Brush the pan lightly with olive oil. Working in batches, grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until brown all over and just cooked through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tzatziki and flat bread.
• If you're using plain whole milk yogurt, line a small sieve with a coffee filter. Put the yogurt in it, set it over a bowl, and refrigerate 12 hours. Discard the expressed liquid and put yogurt in the bowl.
• Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into another bowl. Sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons salt and rub into the cucumber with your hands. Set aside 20 minutes, then squeeze the cucumbers to express as much liquid as possible.
• Smash the garlic, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Stir the cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and mint into the yogurt. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

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.