Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Lamb and Feta Patties with Red Pepper and Apple Relish


Our summer plans have been finalized and, God willing, the entire family will be home for a reunion in late July. Tradition dictates that everyone gets to have at least one favorite meal or dessert while they are home. I also want to test some new recipes while "those raised not to lie" are sitting at the table. That means the gal who brought you Christmas cookies in March will be testing new recipes before the hungry horde descends upon the homestead. Today's effort was an old recipe from Gourmet magazine. Lamb patties are mixed with feta cheese, then broiled and finished with a topping of a mildly pickled pepper relish. I've had the recipe for six years or so and decided it's time to test it or toss it. Fortunately, the recipe is a keeper - a solid four on a scale of five. It's gorgeous to look at and vaguely Greek in flavor. I made a Greek salad and roast potatoes with lemon and garlic as an accompaniment. The patties can also be served on rolls or in pocket pita. One meal down, thirteen to go. If you're looking for a change of pace, you might want to give this a try.

Lamb and Feta Patties with Red Pepper and Apple Relish


Ingredients for relish:
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup water
2 orange or red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup golden raisins
1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for patties:
1 slice firm white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
1 scallion, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1 1/4 lb ground lamb
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 lb feta, crumbled (3/4 cup)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1) To make relish, bring vinegar and sugar to a boil in a 2-quart nonreactive heavy saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves. Continue to boil for 1 minute longer. Stir in peppers, raisins, apple, mustard seeds, cayenne pepper and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until peppers and apple are tender, about 25 minutes. Set aside.
2) To make patties, preheat broiler. Place bread, scallion, garlic, and mint in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Place crumbs in a bowl with lamb, egg, feta, salt and pepper. Mix with hands until combined. Do not over mix.
3) Form into 4 1/2-inch patties. Broil patties on oiled rack of a broiler pan 5 inches from heat until browned but still slightly pink in center, about 4 minutes on each side. Serve patties with relish. Yield: 4 servings.

Recipe adapted from Gourmet Magazine - February 2002

26 comments :

The Cooking Photographer said...

Print! Thanks Mary. We love lamb and feta.

theUngourmet said...

These are beautiful burgers and I bet they smelled amazing while they were cooking! I love the idea of adding the apple. What a delicious recipe!

Lisa said...

This sounds wonderful! Since I don't usually cook with ground beef this would make an interesting and flavorful alternative to hamburgers for my family. I think they would be fabulous in a pita.

Ning said...

I love the apple relish, though ground lamb is hard to find here. I would try to substitute beef... :)

Katy ~ said...

My Sweetie-Pi and I were just talking about lamb the other night. In the 7 years we've been together I never cooked it for him as I thought he didn't like it (how did that misunderstanding arise?). Anyway, I think this would be a great way to introduce lamb. I especially love the idea of the apple relish! I really enjoyed seeing what you made for sides to go with.

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Mary, we love lamb patties with feta and eat is regularly, but your relish is what has really intrigued me. Can I come to your reunion and taste all the recipes too, mom?

Donna-FFW said...

Mary, that red pepper and apple relish sounds fantastic. And it looks gorgeous.

Martha said...

This does look good and I love your entire menu.

Netts Nook said...

Every morning the hub says BAAAAAA this is for sure a keeper I will let you know how it goes.

Heather S-G said...

I am bookmarking this one...it sounds so delicious, Mary! I love lamb & feta!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of red pepper and apple relish for these delicious lamb burgers. Fabulous combination of flavors!

Pam said...

What a great combination of flavors! They look delicious.

Lyndas recipe box said...

I've never had lamb, but these burgers look so delicious and the relish looks beautiful as a topping! Is it lunch yet?

Culinary Wannabe said...

Anything with feta is a winner to me. So exciting that your whole family will be together this summer!

Allie said...

You're right they are pretty to look at! Would be great for a summer party instead of the plain jane burgers spread out. The apple sounds like a refreshing addition.

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE lamb and feta... YUM!!!

NKP said...

This look like a total winner to me! Great flavours going on.

noble pig said...

Mary, lamb and feta taste so beautifully together. This looks like a very satisfying meal!

Anonymous said...

Hello Mary, I am so happy that you visited my little blog. What a joy to come here and visit you. These lamb and feta patties sound wonderful, and I am going to try them this week with our house guests. The Citrus contest recipe is also a keeper. I am just eagerly devouring all of your posts. As to my garden? Yes, we are back at it Florida style, and it is great fun.

Lori said...

Now that is a beautiful burger. We love lamb. Having a reunion is a wonderful thing to look forward to.

Candy said...

Yummy and mouth watering.

Cute little guys on the side bar too!

Cheers,
Candy

Mary Bergfeld said...

Candy, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll visit often.

Laura said...

Oh these look fabulous Do you think they would work well with other meat? Lamb for us is a pain and never local, whereas I could use a combo of ground beef and ground chicken or turkey from local, pasture-raised critters.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Apple relish...be still my heart! This looks amazing Mary!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Laura, beef would work and maybe pork. The relish is too strong for chicken or turkey.

The Cooking Photographer said...

I found it! I was craving a burger with stuff all over the top and couldn't figure out why. YOU DID THIS TO ME!

I made bruschetta burgers last night from that vision.
They were wonderful.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Printfriendly