Spiced Indian Lamb Burgers With Garlic Mint Yogurt Mayo
Ingredients (Makes 5-6 burgers)
1 lb lamb mince (or use mutton/beef mince)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1" ginger shoot, minced
3 tbsp chopped mint leaves
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
2-3 Thai green chillies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
2 cloves
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 green cardamom
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1/8 tsp nutmeg, freshly ground
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
For the Yogurt Mayo
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1 fat garlic clove
2 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
1/2 tbsp Lemon juice (or to taste)
Salt & pepper to taste
For assembling the burgers
Buns
Lettuce leaves
Sliced Onions, Tomatoes
Pepper Jack, Colby or any easy melting cheese
To serve alongside
Fries, Chips, Onion rings, beer, hot sauce,pickles etc
Method
In a small bowl, mix up the mayo & yogurt. Mince the garlic clove using your microplane and add the mint leaves to the yogurt. Add lemon juice, salt & pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Using your coffee grinder coarsely grind black pepper, fennel, cloves, cumin and cardamom.Set aside in the grinder itself. In a bowl, add the lamb mince. Add the garlic, ginger, mint, cilantro & green chillies. Add the ground spices over it along with nutmeg,cinnamon & olive oil.Using a fork (or your hands), lightly mix up the mince with all the herbs and spices. If you have time, you can cover the bowl with a cling film & let it sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours or else you can use it right away.
Heat up a cast iron pan. Divide the lamb mince into six equal portions.(We do not like very thick patties, so I could make 6 out of these, however if making thicker patties, divide into desired portions). Brush a tsp of oil on the pan and cook the patties on moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook on the other side, about 3-4 minutes more. When cooked, add the cheese on top and cover with a lid, the cheese should melt in under a minute. Note - We like our burgers cooked through and the times are noted for that. If you like your burgers pink in bewteen, please reduce the cooking time.These burgers grill beautifully, you can use your outdoor grill to good use for cooking these.
While the patties are cooking, you will see the mince releasing a lot of fat and juice, soak it up by warming up the bun halves on the same pan.
Assemble the burgers by slathering the yogurt mayo on both sides of the buns,add in the onion & tomato slices, lettuce and place the cooked patties.
