Lamb Kofta Burger Food

LAMB KOFTE BURGER

Steps:

• Grate the onion, grate or crush the garlic and finely chop the mint and parsley (note quantity is after chopping).
• Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well - I'd recommend using your hands and really knead the mixture kind of squeezing it to get all the ingredients well mixed.
• Divide the mixture in to four and press each quarter into a flattened ball (burger shape) and refrigerate for around 20 minutes or so to firm up a little.
• Heat the grill to a medium heat and cook the kofte a few minutes each side until lightly charred and the meat is cooked through. Alternatively, you can cook them on a grill pan.
• Combine the chopped romaine lettuce, radish, tomato, cucumber and parsley in a bowl.
• Whisk together the oil, lemon, sumac, honey and garlic and drizzle over the salad. Toss to combine. (Note can be prepared ahead)
• Lightly warm the pita, if you like, then split open on one side. Spread one half of the inside of each pita with muhammara and then add a cooked burger and a good handful of salad.

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!

LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, toss in the diced onions and season with salt and crushed red pepper. Bring the pan to medium-high heat and cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 4 more minutes. Turn the heat off and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the lamb, the cooled onion mixture, the dill, mint, oregano, lemon zest and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water. Sprinkle with salt and combine well. Make a little "tester patty," cook it and taste for seasoning.
• Preheat the grill.
• Form the lamb mixture into 4 equal patties and sprinkle with salt. Grill the burgers to your desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove the burgers from the grill and let rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Cut the Whole-Wheat Pitas in half. Schmear each half generously with the Pickled Feta Spread. Top one half with a burger, then tomatoes, sliced onions and spinach. Place the other pita half on top.
• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast and let sit for 15 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flours, cumin, salt and cayenne. Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil. Mix on medium speed to combine and knead the dough. It should take 6 to 7 minutes. The dough will be firm and not sticky or tacky.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into 7-inch rounds (1/4-inch thick). Divide the dough between 2 sheet trays, cover them loosely with a clean tea towel or plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Bake the pitas for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn the pitas over and bake for 2 more minutes. Let cool and use as desired.
• Place the vinegar, sugar, salt, tea bags, bay leaf and herb stems, if using, in a small saucepan along with 1 cup water. Heat until the sugar and salt has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Place the feta in a small container. Add the vinegar mixture and be sure that the feta is submerged in the liquid. Let sit for a couple of hours outside the refrigerator if using right away, or in the refrigerator if using in the future.
• Strain the feta from the pickling liquid and discard the tea bags, bay leaf and stems. Place the feta in a food processor and add the yogurt. Pulse until combined.

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.

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.

SPICED KOFTA SLIDERS WITH LAMB, BEEF AND BULGUR (GRILLED)

Steps:

• Soak bulgur in 1/3 cup hot water for 1 hour.
• Combine the bulgur and the next 9 ingredients and then chill, covered for 30 minutes.
• Mix cucumber, yogurt and pepper in a small bowl and season with salt.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Shape the meat mixture into 12 balls and flatten into thick mini burgers and season with salt.
• Grill patties 4-8 minutes, turning once, until thermometer inserted registers 160 degrees F.
• Wrap each burger in a lettuce leaf and serve with yogurt sauce and tomato.