Spicy Mid Eastern Lamb Patties Recipes

LAMB KOFTAS WITH YOGHURT DRESSING

Steps:

• Yogurt Sauce: Combine the yogurt sauce ingredients and leave in fridge for at least 20 mninutes for the flavor to develop (overnight even better!).
• Koftas: Grate the onion into the bowl using a standard box grater. Add remaining Kofta ingredients and mix well with your hands.
• With damp hands, divide the meat into 8 equal pieces and push and shape the meat onto 8 skewers. Make them smooth (looks nicer, pictured!) or a bit nubbly (more surface area to brown!).

SPICY LAMB PATTIES

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• In a bowl, mix the lamb, green onions, garlic, curry powder, cumin, red pepper, salt and pepper. Form into 4 patties.
• Lightly oil grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes on each side, or until done.

SPICED LAMB PATTIES WITH NUTTY GARLIC SAUCE

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.

LAMB PATTIES WITH FRIED ONIONS AND TAHINI-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Put lamb in a medium bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt, some black pepper, the cumin, coriander, oregano, cinnamon, scallions, cilantro, mint and garlic. Mix well with wet hands, kneading the mixture to distribute seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour so the seasoning penetrates. (Alternatively, season meat and refrigerate overnight.)
• Make the sauce: In a small bowl, put tahini, lemon juice, garlic and cayenne. Stir well to dissolve the tahini. Then stir in yogurt, and mix well. Taste and add salt, to taste.
• Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high. When oil is wavy, add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are crisp and well browned, edging toward burned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Lower heat if browning too quickly. Add a little more oil, if pan looks dry. Season lightly with salt. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Light a charcoal grill for a medium hot bed of coals. (Alternatively, use a medium-hot gas or electric grill, a cast-iron pan or griddle, or a broiler.)
• With wet hands, knead lamb mixture once more, then form into 4 (8-ounce) oval patties (or 6 5-ounce patties), about 1-inch thick. Set aside until the fire is ready. Place the grill about 1 inch from the coals.
• Cook patties about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, 130 degrees. After flipping, cook until red juices appear on the top of the patties. For medium, 140 degrees, cook longer, about 5 minutes per side. In either case, let them rest on a warm plate for 5 minutes before serving, to keep in juices. They will continue cooking a bit as they rest.
• Top each burger with fried onions. Serve with tahini-yogurt sauce and warm pita, if desired.