Kefta Burgers Recipes

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.

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.

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.

KOFTA BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Combine beef, onion, chile pepper, cilantro, yogurt, flour, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and mix well with clean hands.
• Roll beef mixture in to 4 large balls and flatten into patties 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick. Place on a plate, separated by wax paper, until grill is ready.
• Grill burgers until cooked to preference, 5 to 7 minutes per side.

KOFTA WITH FETA CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the kofta: Add the frozen lamb shoulder and breast cubes to a food processor and pulse until a ground meat mixture is formed. Alternately, use a meat grinder. Place the ground lamb in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with the chili powder, cumin, sumac, salt and pepper. Using wet hands, form into 8 oval patties.
• Add the oil to a Dutch oven fitted with a deep-frying thermometer and bring the temperature of the oil up to 375 degrees F. Place a rack in a sheet pan. Place the patties in the hot oil in batches and fry until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on the rack.
• For the sauce: Combine the sodium citrate with 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve. Place over medium heat along with the milk and feta. Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and blend into a sauce using an immersion blender.
• To serve: Place a kofta patty inside half of a pita and top with cucumber slices, a drizzle of some feta sauce and some dill. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 7 more.