Recipe of the Week
Lamb Burgers with Feta Tzatziki Sauce
August 2, 2012

These burgers along with the sauce make an incredible combination. Melissa always enjoys the straightforward approach of a burger on a bun. I usually embrace a low carb variation and put the burger on top of a spinach salad. However you choose to serve it, be prepared for a flavor combination that you will come back to time and time again.

Ingredients:

Lamb Mixture:
*1 lb. ground lamb
*2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
*1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* ¾ Tablespoon “Texas Brisket Dry Rub”
* ¾ teaspoon fennel seed
* ¾ teaspoon oregano
* ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
*½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
*1 Tablespoon EVOO

Tzatziki Sauce:
* ½ cup cucumber slices peeled and seeds removed
*½ cup crumbled feta cheese
* ¼ cup Greek yogurt
* ¼ cup mayonnaise
*1 Tablespoon fresh chopped dill
*1 clove garlic
*Juice of ½ lemon
*Kosher salt to taste
*Cracked black pepper to taste

*4 hamburger buns or Kaiser rolls
*2 Tablespoons butter melted
*Baby spinach leaves
*Red onion slices
*Tomato slices
*Cucumber slices

Directions:

Place the lamb in a mixing bowl and add the parsley, Worcestershire sauce, grill seasoning, fennel seeds, oregano, cumin and crushed red pepper. Form the mixture into four even patties. Cover and refrigerate them until you are ready to cook.

Prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining the cucumber, cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor.

Pulse the ingredients until the sauce is smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before you plan to serve so that the flavors can fully meld.

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the patties and cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side for a medium-rare burger.

Lightly paint butter on each side of the hamburger buns. Toast them on the grill until done.

Immediately wrap them in plastic wrap and let them set for at least 1 minute. The result is a toasted/steamed bun that is delicious.

To build the burger, spread tzatziki sauce on each side of the hamburger buns.

Place a layer of spinach leaves on the bottom bun. Layer the burger, onions, tomato and cucumber slices on top.