Lamb Burger Middle Eastern Style Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB KOFTA

Steps:

• Place the nuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until finely chopped but not pasty. Transfer the nuts to a small dry skillet over medium heat; cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Pour the nuts into mixing bowl large enough to hold all of the ingredients, and set aside to cool. (Don't leave the nuts in the pan, as the residual heat may cause them to burn.)
• Place the onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro in the bowl of the food processor (no need to clean it first). Pulse until the vegetables are finely minced but not puréed. Set a fine sieve over a medium bowl. Transfer the minced vegetables to the sieve and use a rubber spatula to press out as much liquid as possible. Add the strained vegetable mixture to the bowl with the nuts.
• To the veggies and nuts, add the lamb, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, salt, and white pepper. Using your hands, mash the mixture together until evenly combined.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Form the mixture into patties about 2 inches in diameter and ½-inch thick (they will puff up on the grill to look like meatballs). Place on the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the kofta on the grill and cook, covered, until browned, about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve with tzatziki and hummus.
• Note: If you like your kofta spicy, reserve some of the seeds from the jalapeño pepper and add them with the vegetables. Also, be sure to wash your hands well after handling hot peppers, and do not touch your eyes while working with them.
• Make-Ahead: The patties can be made and refrigerated up to two days ahead of time.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The uncooked patties can be frozen for up to three months. (Freeze the patties on a baking sheet or plate so their shape sets, then transfer them to a sealable plastic bag for easy storage.) Defrost the burgers overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving and then cook as directed.

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.

SPICED MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB PATTIES WITH PITA AND YOGURT

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.

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.