Middle Eastern Spiced Lamb Burger Food

LAMB BURGER MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE

Steps:

• Beat the egg, add ketchup, beat more to completely blend.
• Stir in the onion, crumbs, dill, parsley, garlic, pine nuts, salt pepper, paprika & cayenne.
• Add the lamb and mix well (use your hands for easy mixing).
• Form 3 or 4 patties.
• Either BBQ or pan fry. Internal temperature should read 160°F.
• If pan frying brown one side of the patties over high heat, flip, cover with a lid, lower heat to medium and cook the other side,.
• If you are serving mushrooms add them to the pan when you flip the burger and cover the pan - they will be beautifully browned.
• Top the burger with yogurt and any condiments you like--tomatoes, pickles, pickled peppers, eggplant, hummus--your choice.

MIDDLE EASTERN SPICED LAMB BURGER RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine lamb, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, sumac and sesame seeds in a medium bowl.
• Mix to combine, but do not overwork the mixture.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or grill to medium/medium-high heat.
• Portion lamb mixture into 4 equal sized balls of 4 ounces each and form into patties.
• Cook for 4 - 5 minutes per side.
• Set aside to rest while you make the sauce.
• Combine yogurt and tahini in a small bowl. Add lemon juice if desired. Stir to mix until uniform.
• Assemble burgers: lettuce, tomato, tahini yogurt and burger on a sesame seed bun.

JUICY LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine lamb, shallot, garlic, salt, cumin, allspice, cayenne, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine the seasonings and the meat.
• Form the meat mix into 4 patties about 1/2 inch thick. Cover the patties with plastic wrap, and chill for at least two hours. This will allow the spices to completely season the meat.
• Prepare a grill to medium high heat. Brush both sides of the burgers with the oil, to keep them from sticking to the grill.
• Grill the patties for about 4 minutes on each side for medium doneness (or adjust to your preferred temp). Remove from heat, and cover to keep warm while you toast the buns.
• Place the buns, cut side down, on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes to toast.
• Place the burgers on the toasted buns, and garnish as desired. serve immediately.

MOROCCAN-SPICED LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the lamb, onion, bread crumbs, mint, garlic, cumin, coriander, 3/4 tsp salt, and the cayenne. Using your hands, mix gently but thoroughly. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form each into an oval patty about 4 1/2 inches long and about 3/4 inch thick.
• In a small bowl, stir together the tomato and cilantro and season with salt. Let the patties and the tomato mixture stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. If refrigerated, remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling.
• Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over high heat.
• Grill the burgers over the hottest part of a charcoal fire or directly over the heat elements of a gas grill, turning once, until nicely charred and cooked to your liking, 5-6 minutes per side for medium. About 1 minute before the burgers are done, place the pita breads along the edges of a charcoal grill where the heat is less intense, or on an area of a gas grill with lower heat, so they can warm.
• To assemble the sandwiches, coat the pockets of the pita breads lightly with some of the yogurt, then slip a lamb burger into each bread. Add the tomato mixture, sprouts, and the remaining yogurt, or serve these condiments on the side.