Spiced Lamb Burgers Recipes

Steps:

• For the patties: Toast pepper, coriander and cumin together in a dry pan until they crackle and pop (shake 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. Mix all spices, garlic and salt well into the lamb. Form into 6 even patties.
• For the sauce: After weighing, rip the dried peppers open to shake out the seeds (a few seeds left in is ok). Throw the peppers in 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 the blender, and blend it until very smooth. Add salt and blend again. Add cream and pulse a few times just to incorporate and get a saucy, 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 sauce on each side of the bun. Slice the patties in half to lay lengthwise on the bread, and crumble Cotija cheese on top. Dress with plenty of juicy tomato slices, onion and lettuce. Cut sandwich lengthwise (along the seam of the lamb patty) and plate with cross-section facing outward.

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.

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 aioli:
• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lime juice, and five-spice powder. Refrigerate the aioli until ready to use.
• For the relish:
• In a saute pan over medium-high heat, toast the coriander seeds until fragrant. Drizzle in the vegetable oil, add the red onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Stir in the chile and white wine vinegar, and then sprinkle over the sugar, stirring until it dissolves.
• Add the cucumber to the pan, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat, and reduce slightly, achieving a light glaze consistency. Season the relish with salt, and let the mixture cool.
• Just before serving the relish, stir in the mint, and season with salt, to taste.
• For the burgers:
• Put the ground lamb, shallot, fresh ginger, garlic, egg yolk, and five-spice powder in a bowl, and mix well. Season the mixture with salt, and black pepper. Divide and shape the lamb mixture into 4 (8-ounce) burger patties. Place the patties in the refrigerator for 1 hour, to allow the flavors to infuse.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grate. Grill the lamb patties until they are seared on both sides, and cooked through. Remove the patties from the grill, and set aside. Place the buns on the grill, cut-side down, and toast until golden.
• Put the lamb patties on the toasted buns, slathered with the Five-Spice Aioli, Pickled Cucumber Relish, and sliced tomato.

Steps:

• Whisk garlic, almond butter, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Set sauce aside.
• Using your hands, gently mix lamb, onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl just to combine. Form into twelve 3/4"-thick patties.
• Heat a dry large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Working in 2 batches, cook patties, pressing slightly to flatten, until browned on the outside but still pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; let rest 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss cabbage, cucumber, radishes, and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve lamb patties with pita bread, salad, herbs, and reserved sauce.

Steps:

• Make the yogurt sauce:
• Whisk yogurt, oil, lemon zest, salt, and garlic in a medium bowl until combined.
• Do Ahead: Yogurt sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Make and assemble the burgers:
• Mix paprika, cayenne, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. black pepper in a small bowl.
• Shape lamb into 4 patties about 3/4" thick. Season with spice mixture on both sides.
• Heat oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Working in batches if needed, cook patties until underside is browned, 5-6 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on other side, 4-5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss asparagus, snap peas, onion, lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl.
• Generously spread yogurt sauce on cut sides of buns. Build each burger with a lamb patty and a mound of slaw. You will probably have extra slaw left over-serve it alongside.

Steps:

• Combine lamb, onion, egg, breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of sumac in a bowl; shape into 4 patties.
• Cook patties in an oiled fry pan or grill or BBQ until browned on both sides and cooked through.
• Toast bread in toaster or under grill.
• Combine remaining sumac and tzatziki in a small bowl.
• Combine watercress with lemon juice in another bowl.
• Spread tzatziki over bottom layer of bread, arrange 4 beetroot slices, place lamb burger on beetroot and top burger with cress.

Steps:

• Using a fork, mix lamb, onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup oil in a large bowl. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
• Prepare grill for medium heat and oil grate. Working one at a time, open each pita pocket by cutting along seam, halfway around perimeter. Spoon filling into pitas, spreading to edges. Close, pressing on filling to seal.
• Grill pitas until filling is cooked through and bread is crisp, about 5 minutes per side.
• Do ahead: Filling can be made 8 hours ahead. Keep chilled. Pita breads can be stuffed 1 hour ahead; cover and chill.

Steps:

• Start a charcoal or gas grill, or heat a broiler. The fire should not be too hot, and the rack should be about 4 inches from the heat source.
• Combine all ingredients except lemon in a food processor, and pulse on and off until meat is ground. Shape into burgers, and grill about 8 minutes total for rare meat, turning once. Squeeze lemon juice over burgers and serve on toasted buns.

Steps:

• For salsa:
• Whisk first 3 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Mix in next 4 ingredients. Season salsa to taste with salt and pepper.
• Do ahead: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• For burgers:
• Stir shallot, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin in large bowl to blend. Add lamb and mix gently to combine. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Arrange on small baking sheet.
• Do ahead: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Spray grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes; transfer to work surface. Place lettuce and large spoonful of salsa on each bun bottom. Grill burgers until slightly charred and cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Place 1 burger on each bun. Top each with mayonnaise and bun top. Serve with remaining salsa.

Steps:

• If grilling or broiling, heat should be medium-high and rack about 4 inches from fire. Put lamb and onion into a food processor (in batches if your machine is small) and pulse until coarsely ground. Put in a bowl with chili, coriander, cumin and turmeric, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix, handling the meat as little as possible, until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Handling meat as lightly as possible to avoid compressing it, shape it into 4 or more burgers.
• To broil or grill, cook about 3 minutes on each side for rare and another minute per side for each increasing stage of doneness. For stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, then add patties; cook, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes, then rotate them so they brown evenly. Turn once and cook for a total of about 6 minutes for rare.
• Garnish with diced mango, green and red pepper, red onion and scallion, and with shredded carrot and lettuce.

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat.
• Place the lamb in a large bowl, and mix with the mint, cilantro, oregano, garlic, sherry, vinegar, and molasses. Season with cumin, allspice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Shape into 4 patties.
• Brush grill grate with oil. Grill burgers 5 minutes on each side, or until well done. Heat the pita pocket briefly on the grill. Serve burgers wrapped in pitas with feta cheese.

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Thoroughly mix ground lamb, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; shape into 4 patties.
• Cook the burgers until they are beginning to firm and are hot and slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Alternately, you can cook the burgers to your desired degree of doneness. Rest burgers while assembling toppings.
• Mix mayonnaise and mustard together in a small bowl; spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto one side of each bun. Put a burger onto each bun and top with tomato and greens. Sandwich with remaining bun half to serve.

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.

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.