Your grill has seen its fair share of hamburgers. Tonight, turn traditional cookout cuisine on its head with Mediterranean-style Gyro Burgers. Stuffed with savory lamb meat, crisp veggies and cool, creamy Tzatziki sauce, they’re sure to please and surprise your guests!
Serves 4
Prep time: 15 minutes/ Cook time: 10 minutes - INGREDIENTS:
- Gyro Burgers 1 pound ground lamb* 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 white onion, finely chopped or grated 1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary Salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 red onion, sliced for garnish 1 tomato, sliced for garnish 2 cups lettuce, shredded for garnish 4 pitas, halved *You can use ground chuck in place of lamb (available from your butcher), or even combine both meats for a unique flavor.
- Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 3 mint leaves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt. Tip: We love the bold, earthy flavor of dried herbs in this recipe, but you can use fresh versions of rosemary and marjoram, too. Since dried herbs are stronger, use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of dried.
- INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the lamb, garlic, onion, marjoram and rosemary with clean hands.
- Shape the meat into 4 evenly sized patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill over medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer registers 160°F.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce ingredients, stirring until well-blended and smooth.
- Place each patty in a halved pita. Garnish with onion, tomato, lettuce and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce, then serve. Tip: For perfectly even patties, pat your meat into the bottom of the bowl, then score it into four quadrants with the side of your hand.
- Enjoy!
- David J. Moore
- www.davidthelocator.com
