White Apron Inspired Greek Burger

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 seedless cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
  • Red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill
  • For lamb patties:
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • For the tzatziki:
  • 4 ounces cucumber
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • For assembling:
  • 4 butter lettuce leaves
  • 4 Brioche buns
  • 1 cup feta cheese

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

  1. Make the quick pickled cucumbers: Using a mandolin or sharp knife, finely slice the cucumbers. Put in a mixing bowl with the chopped dill and a pinch of salt while you prepare the pickling solution. 
  2. In a small pot over medium heat, toast the mustard, coriander and fennel seeds and garlic cloves. Combine rice wine vinegar, sugar and salt. Stir well until the liquid is simmering and the sugar has completely dissolved. Pour pickling liquid over cucumbers and stir to ensure everything is evenly coated. 
  3. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  4. Make the tzatziki: Dice cucumber, combine with salt and set aside for five minutes. Combine all other ingredients for tzatziki in a separate bowl. Squeeze water out from cucumber and add to the yogurt mixture. Mix well and keep in refrigerator.
  5. Make the lamb patties: Place all ingredients for lamb burger patties in a large bowl and mix well with your hand. Fold in ground lamb and mix well. Divide mixture into four ¾-inch patties. Place patties on the preheated grill and turn the heat down to medium. Flip after 3 minutes or when the patty is half-way done and add crumbled feta cheese to melt. Cook the patties through, or another 3 minutes
  6. Lightly grill the cut side of burger buns. Assemble burgers with tzatziki on the bottom bun, then butter lettuce, then lamb burger patty, top with quick pickled cucumbers, and finish with the top bun portion. Serve immediately.