Sunday, June 6, 2010

Lamb and Feta Patties with Red Pepper Relish



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I so wish you could have joined us at the table tonight. It was a simple burger supper, but one so packed with flavor that I know you'd have enjoyed it. With an assist from a recipe that appeared in an old issue of Gourmet magazine, I was able to fashion Greek-inspired lamb patties with a pepper relish so delicious that I guarantee one bite would have your socks going up and down. Really. These burgers are that good. While I rarely add anything other than salt and pepper to beef burgers, I have no problem using cheese and herbs and spices to take other meat patties to new levels. Fortunately, I still had ground lamb that had been sent to me by the folks at Lava Lake Ranch and this gave me the opportunity to use their ground lamb in a worthy application. While there is some chopping involved, these burgers are very easy to do and can be assembled hours before serving. The relish can actually be made several days before you plan to use it. While I served our burgers on warm pita bread, good buns would also work here. I know you'll like these. Here's the recipe.

Lamb and Feta Patties with Red Pepper Relish...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Gourmet magazine

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
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 pound ground lamb
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 pound 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, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil, uncovered, 1 minute. Add remaining relish ingredients and simmer briskly, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peppers and apple are tender, about 25 minutes.
2) To make patties: Preheat broiler. Pulse bread, scallion, garlic, and mint in a food processor until finely chopped. Add to lamb in a bowl along with egg, feta, salt, and pepper. Blend with your hands until just combined (do not overwork mixture, or patties will be tough). Form into 4-1/2 inch patties (about 1/2 inch thick).
3) To cook: 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 red pepper relish and warm pita bread or buns. Yield: 4 patties.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Chimichurri Turkey Burgers - One Perfect Bite
Green Curry Turkey Burgers - One Perfect Bite
Salmon Burgers - One Perfect Bite

43 comments :

Alexandra said...

Oh, lamb!

Love it. Tell me about the pepper relish, is it better than a cucumber yougurt on the lamb?

Mary Bergfeld said...

Empress, I think the pepper relish is better than a yogurt and cucumber relish on this burger. It has bite and sweetness and does not cool the way a yogurt-cucumber sauce does. You could always make both and do a side by side test. Blessings...Mary

Pondside said...

Whenever I eat at a particular restaurant in Victoria I order a lamb burger. I've never made one at home - but this sounds wonderful. I think I can imagine the taste of the relish.

Harmony said...

Mary, I have just discovered ‘One Perfect Bite’ and must congratulate you on a beautiful and informative site. I’ve been perusing all the recipes and stunning photographs. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

As for your latest entry….the lamb burgers look delicious and I’m sure the relish is fantastic. Like you, I would probably opt for the pita over a bun. I live in the Southwest and lamb isn’t always easy to come by, but I’m determined to try this recipe.

Salsa Verde said...

Seems perfect and so appetising!!
Love,
Lia.

Angie's Recipes said...

Love your pepper relish...never had patties made with lamb and feta...looks seriously tempting.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Hi again, Mary! Thanx for dropping by the other day - always a pleasure to hear from you, and even more of a pleasure to see the dish of the day!! Have a fab day!

Diane said...

The pepper relish sounds really good with lamb. Yummy. Diane

Ana Powell said...

Divine ♥

Martha said...

Another great recipe! I'll be looking for ground lamb next time I'm in the city!

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, I actually almost always have ground lamb in the house- a throwback to my days of working with Greek chefs. Lamb and Feta are a wonderful combo and this will be on my menu this week! Thank you!
xoxo Pattie

The Words Crafter said...

I actually have never had lamb, but I got to tell you, that sounds good! I will have to see of any of my local grocers carry ground lamb...hope your weekend is relaxing!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

You know us so well Mary, I would have loved this dish. I have a lamb patty recipe waiting in the wings to try.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I keep saying I want to make lamb burgers and you're giving me the push to do it. Looks terrific.

penny aka jeroxie said...

A nice idea. A different take on the usual yoghurt.

Federica Simoni said...

ottima ricetta!!!bravissima!ciao!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I've never tried lamb, this would be my perfect opportunity!!

Priya Suresh said...

Delicious patties,makes me drool...

Claudia said...

I do buy ground lamb - and then make Shepherd's Pie. I am too predictable. The pepper relish is intoxicating - am definitely going to try this.I could just eat it as a side dish! Adore relishes. Bookmarked!

M @ Betty Crapper said...

I see I'm not alone in never having tried lamb. I don't think I've ever seen it at the store. Why don't American's eat more lamb?

PeggyR said...

Oh yum! We love lamb!

Cathy said...

I often make burgers with ground lamb and will try this delicious relish the next time they are on the menu. Love all the flavors you've combined here, Mary.

Cooking with Kait said...

Hi Mary, I really wish I could have joined you for dinner. The lamb patties look amazing with the pepper relish.

Sushma Mallya said...

Looks delicious..

Jen_from_NJ said...

I definitely would have loved to join you for this burger! I love that you can make ahead and the flavors sound perfect!

Big Dude said...

I've been wanting Greek lately and this sounds fantastic.

Cherine said...

Looks so tasty! Love it!

Lindy Leigh said...

This looks and sounds wonderful! I've looked through your blog a bit and have seen a lot of recipes I want to try.

I will be back here often :)

Thanks for visiting my site

Lindy

My Little Space said...

Lamb patties sound wonderful! I still have a packet of lamb meat in the fridge just perfect for this. Hope you're having a nice day!
Cheers, Kristy

Terry @ La Bella Vie said...

Hello Oregonian neighbor! Thank you for coming by my blog and the nice compliment. I am so glad you found me, I'll be adding lot's of fun this stuff, I'm sort of new to the world of blog.
By the way these recipes look delightful. I may try the corn ice cream since ice cream is my down-fall")
Terry

Katie@Cozydelicious said...

This looks wonderful! I love that relish. The sweetness of the peppers and apples with the lamb - yum!

Barbara said...

What a brilliant idea, Mary! We adore lamb and mixing it with feta in a burger sounds delish. Very Greek with the mint.
And your relish. Lovely. I've already copied both recipes.

Hope you had a lovely weekend, Mary!

FOODESSA said...

Now...there's a real perfect bite...or 2 or...alright, I'll have to finish all up. Buon Appetito!
Great red pepper relish recipe.
Will certainly have to try making it this summer.
Thanks for sharing and flavourful wishes, Claudia

Devaki said...

Swoon...lamb & feta and mint & then this wonderful red pepper and apple relish. What's not to love?!

I wish could eat my screen NOW but I'll just have to fix these soon :)

Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

Teena said...

Oh, that looks yum! I'll be sure to pass this onto my resident cook, David! ;-)

Joanne said...

I'm just warning you. One of these days I'm going to show up for dinner. Out of the blue. And expect to be served these lamb patties.

I had my first lamb burger last week and fell in love! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love that relish.

Chef Aimee said...

I wish I was at that table...I love lamb (being Armenian, I think its part of our genetic makeup as a culture) and this red pepper relish sounds SO good!!!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

we love lamb. I like the idea of using the pita bread instead of buns-
That relish- with the addition of the apple- sounds amazing.

Ingrid de Villiers said...

Oh it looks delicious Mary! I love lamb but always make a roast of the leg of lamb. I will have to try this burger with the lamb.....thanks you for the recipe!
Ixx

tasteofbeirut said...

Looks delicious! I have never combined feta and lamb and I want to now! Since I like both there is no valid reason not to mix them up in a patty; love that pepper relish with it, it adds the right amount of crunch and tanginess.

Unknown said...

Mary - absolutely excellent food, photos and writing. I'm a huge fan of your style! I will absolutely be trying this dish out. Scotland is the place for spring lamb! -Kamaren

Lacie Hoffman said...

I’m Lacie Hoffman, an intern with Superior Farms in Davis, CA, and I noticed your great article on your preparation of lamb burgers! I am super excited to hear all the enthusiasm about lamb. We are kicking off the summer with our summer grilling promotion at www.GrillLamb.com. We’re giving away a Mediterranean cruise for two and promoting simple Mediterranean seasonings for lamb. We are hoping to get more lamb lovers this summer by highlighting delicious recipes and cooking tips. If you have any posts coming up, we would love to hear about them! Also, look for us on Facebook.

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Lacie Hoffman

whozyerdanny said...

I love lamb and peppers. This is a must try combination.

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