1. Spicy lamb and feta burgers with cucumber salsa
Serves 4
Cooking time: 16 minutes
Equipment
Large mixing bowl, vegetable knife, garlic crusher, chopping board, lemon zester or grater, measuring spoons, mixing spoon, grill tray lined with foil, fish slice or tongs
Top tips:
Serve in a toasted ciabatta bun with a cucumber salsa and green salad
Alternatively, try toasted soda bread ,sliced granary French stick or a brioche bun
Leave out the feta cheese for a lower fat dish
If time allows, refrigerate burgers for 20 minutes before cooking.
Skills used
Weighing and measuring, knife skills – bridge and claw, safe use of equipment – grating, safe handling and cooking of raw meat, safe use of the grill, assembling/layering
Did you know?
Since 2002, feta has been a Protected Designation of Origin product in the European Union. According to the relevant EU legislation, only those cheeses produced in a traditional way in particular areas of Greece, which are made from sheep's milk or from a mixture of sheep's and up to 30% of goat's milk from the same area, can be called feta.
Lamb fact
Lamb is naturally rich in protein and contains three essential dietary minerals (zinc, potassium and phosphorus).
Ingredients
450g (16oz) lean lamb mince
1 garlic clove
4 x 15ml spoon (4tbs) flat-leaf parsley or coriander
125g (5oz) feta cheese, roughly crumbled
1 lemon
½ x 5ml spoon (½tsp) ground paprika
1 x 5ml spoon (1tsp) ground allspice
½ x 5ml spoon (½tsp) cumin powder
Freshly ground black pepper
Burger buns of your choice
Serving idea: Cucumber salsa
¼ cucumber, peeled and diced
2 ripe plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
50g (2oz) black olives, drained and cut in half
2 x 15ml spoon (2tbs) freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 x 15ml spoon (2tbs) freshly chopped mint
2 x 15ml spoon (2tbs) olive oil
2 x 5ml spoon (2tsp) lemon juice
Method
Place the lamb mince in a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the ingredients:
Peel and crush the garlic
Chop the parsley
Crumble the feta cheese
Zest the lemon.
Add the prepared ingredients to the lamb along with the paprika, allspice and cumin.
Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Stir the mixture well.
Divide the mixture into four balls. Flatten and shape into a burger.
Place burgers onto a grill tray. Wash hands thoroughly after touching the raw meat.
Cook burgers under a preheated grill for 6-8 minutes.
Turn the burgers over and cook for another 6-8 minutes.
Ensure burgers are cooked throughout and no pink remains.