Niamhs Juicy Lamb Burgers With Raita Recipes

INDIAN LAMB BURGERS WITH GREEN RAITA SAUCE AND RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Put all of the ingredients for the sauce in food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a small serving dish and reserve.
• Put the red onion rings in a small bowl and separate the rings. Add the lime juice and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Add the lamb to a mixing bowl along with the garlic, chile, ginger, spices, cinnamon, and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix to combine. Form the meat mixture into 4 sections and make 2 slider-size patties form each portion, 8 (3-ounce) burgers in total, thinner at the center and thicker at the edges.
• Heat a large skillet or a griddle pan with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook a few minutes on each side.
• Put a few leaves of spinach on each of the bun bottoms and add the burger. Top with the onions and green sauce. Cover with the bun tops and serve.
• * Toast and grind your own coriander and cumin if you have a coffee grinder or spice mill.

CURRIED LAMB BURGERS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES AND MINT RAITA

Steps:

• For raita:
• Mix yogurt, mint, cilantro, and lime peel in small bowl. Season to taste with coarse salt and pepper. Cover; chill until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• For burgers and vegetables:.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Sauté until onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Mix in curry powder and stir 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Cool onion mixture to room temperature, at least 15 minutes.
• Place lamb in large bowl. Add onion mixture, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, cilantro, and 1 teaspoon cracked pepper. Blend mixture gently; shape into six 1/2-inch-thick patties.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Combine zucchini, green onions, and chile in another large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper; toss to coat. Place vegetables and burgers on grill. Cook until grill marks appear, about 4 minutes. Turn vegetables and burgers over. Cook vegetables until tender, about 3 minutes. Cook burgers to desired doneness, about 4 minutes for medium-rare. Cut zucchini and green onions crosswise into 2-inch-long pieces. Cut chile into thin strips.
• Place breads on plates; top with burgers and tomato slices. Mound vegetables on burgers; spoon dollop of raita over. Fold bread up around burgers and serve with remaining raita.
• * Often called a pasilla; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.

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.