Lamb Feta Burgers With Lemon Dill Yogurt Sauce 22-Jun-2012

A Minneapolis Star/Trib Taste section Sunday Supper selection from “The Brokeass Gourmet Cookbook,” by Gabi Moskowitz.

Makes 8 mini-burgers.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound lean ground lamb (since ground lamb is so expensive, I opted to use very lean ground beef instead, and it turned out great!)
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for pan (I omitted the oil entirely for this recipe)
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 4 small pita rounds, halved

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine lamb, onion, parsley, feta, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Very gently use hands to combine ingredients, being careful not to break the feta down. Form into 8 patties, about 2½ inches wide. Set patties on a clean plate.

2. Lightly brush a grill pan, regular pan or grill with enough olive oil to lightly grease it. Cook burgers to desired doneness (medium rare would be 2 to 3 minutes on each side). Remove from heat.

3. Whisk together yogurt with remaining minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon olive oil, lemon juice and zest, dill, salt and pepper to taste.

4. To serve burgers, place a small handful of spinach into each pita half. Place burger in with the spinach and drizzle with the yogurt sauce. Serve immediately.