Greek Lamb Burgers with Scallion Tzatziki

Its not often we eat burgers, apart from when we have the odd barbecue. Even then, we rarely have barbecues as we seem to both be so busy. But, its looking like the final days of summer here in London, as it has turned a bit colder so I decided to say farewell to the sun by making lamb burgers.

A fairly simple recipe (especially if you have a hand blender and you don't have to chop everything by hand) this can be cooked up in 15 minutes and is lovely with some fries and a little side salad.

Ingredients:

500g lamb mince
1/2 red onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, halved
8 black olives (kalamata ideally)
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
30g fresh breadcrumbs
1 tbsp. tomato paste
50g feta
1 egg, beaten

In a small hand blender, finely chop the onion and garlic. Add the olives, herbs, seasoning and breadcrumbs and briefly pulse until all mixed. Put into a bowl with the lamb mince, tomato paste and egg. Crumble in the feta cheese and mix thoroughly with your hands.

Shape into burgers (makes about 7) and place a small square of greaseproof paper in between each one. Chill for an hour for the flavours to meld and to hold the shape. Either shallow fry in a tsp. or oil or grill for 8 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.

For the Scallion Tzatziki:

180g Total Greek yoghurt
1/4 cucumber
6 scallions (spring onions), chopped finely
1 tbsp. olive oil
juice of 1/2 lemon

Peel the cucumber and cut in half lengthways. Use a spoon to remove the seeds from the middle and then grate coarsely. Put into the centre of a clean tea towel and holding it over the kitchen sink, squeeze as much water as you can out of the cucumber. Put into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Stir well and check the seasoning. Chill.

Serve the burgers with lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion with a good portion of tzatziki on the top. A little salad and fries and you have a lovely Greek style dinner. Delicious!