Lamb Burger Middle Eastern Style Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals evenly over the bottom. Heat 2 flat cast-iron skillets over direct heat.
• For the burgers and onions: Combine the lamb, coriander and mint in a large bowl. Form the meat mixture into 4 equal thin half-moon shaped patties. Season the patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a splash of oil to the cast-irons. Cook the patties 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the meat to get a nice crust. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the burgers from the heat and let rest 2 to 3 minutes before assembling the burgers.
• Meanwhile, drizzle the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until softened and charred, about 5 minutes.
• For the tzatziki: Add the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, cucumber, dill and mint to a large bowl and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Spread some tzatziki over each pita, add a patty to one half of each pita, top with some grilled onion and add some chopped tomato and lettuce. Fold the other half of each pita over. Serve!

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.

Steps:

• For the sauce:
• In a small bow, whisk the yogurt with the lemon juice. Stir in the chopped herbs, season with salt and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the patties and pita:
• In a bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the ingredients, except for the pita. Form the mixture into twelve 3-inch oval patties (about 1 inch thick). Arrange the patties on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until firm
• Preheat a grill for at least 10 minutes and prepare it for grilling over moderately high heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, leave one area where you can grill the pita indirectly.
• Oil the grill grates and grill the patties until dark brown grill marks form on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the patties and grill for 4 to 6 minutes longer, until just cooked through.
• Meanwhile, wrap the pita in foil and set the package on the top shelf of a gas grill or in the cooler spot of a charcoal grill and allow them to warm through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Wrap 2 or 3 patties in each pita, spoon some of the yogurt sauce alongside and serve with herb sprigs, passing the remaining yogurt sauce at the table.

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.

Steps:

• Divide lamb into 8 portions of equal size. Shape each into a patty and sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle top of each patty with an equal amount of cumin and rosemary. Pat to help the herb and spice adhere.
• Patties may be broiled or cooked in a skillet. If broiled, preheat broiler to high. Place patties on a baking sheet and place about 3 inches from source of heat. Broil them 2 minutes if you wish them rare, 4 minutes for well done. Turn patties and cook 1 minute if you wish them rare, 2 minutes for well done.
• If patties are cooked in a skillet, select one large enough to hold them in one layer. Brush skillet with a little oil and heat thoroughly on stove. Cook patties over moderately high heat for 2 minutes if you wish them rare, 4 minutes if well done. Turn patties and continue cooking 1 minute for rare, 2 minutes for well done.
• However the patties are cooked, top each with a portion of feta cheese.
• Place under broiler, preheated to high, about 3 inches from the source of heat. Let broil about 1 minute. Dot center of each patty with half a teaspoon of finely chopped parsley.