Recipe: Ground Lamb Sliders with Tzatziki
Quick and delicious mini-burgers perfect for entertaining
Ingredients
Ground Lamb Sliders
- 3 lb ground lamb (1.5 kg)
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives (125 mL), pitted and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated onion (60 mL)
- 4 clove garlic, finely grated
- 1 jalapeño chili, seeded and diced
- 2 tsp ground cloves (10 mL)
- 2 tsp ground cumin (10 mL)
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (10 mL)
- 1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar (30 mL)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (15 mL)
- 24 slider buns or small dinner rolls
Tzatziki
- 1 cup peeled, seeded and coarsely grated English cucumber (250 mL)
- 2 cup Greek-style plain yogurt (500 mL)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves (60 mL)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 mL)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (15 mL)
- 4 clove garlic, finely grated
THE RAINFORD METHOD
For the ground lamb sliders:
Mix together the ground lamb, olives, grated onion, garlic, jalapeño, cloves, cumin, pepper and salt to taste until well combined. Divide the mixture into 24 equal portions and form into patties. Refrigerate until firm.
Meanwhile, toss red onion with vinegar and sugar in a bowl. Marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature.
Fire up your charcoal or preheat your gas grill. You need a medium-high grilling temp of around 350°F (180°C). Prep the grill for cooking over direct heat.
Place the patties on the grill. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Just before the patties are ready, toast the buns until golden. Serve the patties on buns, topped with tzatziki and the marinated onions.
For the tzatziki:
Squeeze the cucumber firmly to remove any excess liquid. Stir together the cucumber, yogurt, mint, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to taste in a serving bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes about 3 cups (750 mL)
Tip: Before forming the meat mixture into patties, make a tiny patty and grill it up to ensure its flavor and seasoning are to your taste.
Recipe excerpt from Rob Rainford's Born to Grill ($29.95, Appetite by Random House)
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