The Ultimate American Lamb Burger
Source: Vice President/Corporate Chef Edward Leonard, Le Cordon Bleu Schools in North America; American Lamb Board
Ground lamb, cumin and mint give these burgers a pronounced Mediterranean accent. Add roasted pepper and tomato relish and place the patties on black olive buns, and the accent deepens. The pan-fried eggplant and minted ricotta cream accompaniments complete the Mediterranean journey.
Ingredients
Burgers:
3 lb. lean American lamb, ground or minced
6 eggs, beaten
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup fine bread crumbs
1 cup sour cream
6 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
3 tbsp. best lamb spice
3 tbsp. paprika
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. ground cumin
¾ tsp. ground black pepper
Sea salt, to taste
12 black olive rolls, sliced
Roasted Pepper and Tomato Relish:
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups vinegar
3/4 tsp. ground turmeric
3/4 tsp. mustard seed
6 roasted red peppers, finely diced
18 plum tomatoes, skinned, deseeded, cored and diced
6 shallots, minced
Pan-Fried Eggplant
2 med. eggplant
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. fresh basil, minced
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
Salad oil, as needed
Minted Ricotta Cream
1 1/2 cups ricotta
1 cup thickened cream
1 cup finely chopped mint
Steps
- For Lamb Burgers: Mix together all ingredients well. Form into 12 patties; let rest in walk-in.
- Prepare Roasted Pepper and Tomato Relish: In med. saucepan, dissolve sugar in vinegar. Add turmeric and mustard seed. Place over med. heat; bring to a boil. Add peppers, tomatoes and shallots; cook for 8 min.
- Prepare Pan-Fried Eggplant: Pare eggplants; cut into 12 slices, ½ in. thick. Salt eggplant lightly on both sides; let sit for 20 min. Rinse slices and dry well.
- Combine eggs, buttermilk, oil and basil. Dip eggplant slices in flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper, then dip in egg mixture. Dredge in crumbs. Cover slices well; let sit for 2 min.
- Fry eggplant slowly in skillet with hot oil until browned on one side and rather transparent. Turn and brown on other side.
- Prepare Minted Ricotta Cream: Combine ricotta, cream and mint.
- For service: Grill lamb burgers until desired doneness; (med. is recommended.) Remove from heat.
- Place an eggplant slice then equal amounts of relish on each black olive roll base. Place on a burger; top with Minted Ricotta Cream and cover with top of roll.