Grilled Feta-Lamb Burgers with Tomato, Fennel, and Cucumber Salad

Burgers are ideal for summer grilling. If you're tired of chicken and hamburger, try something different. I recommend lamb. It is both tasty and low in fat.


                                                              Grilled Lamb Burger

1# ground lamb
1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
2 large tomatoes, sliced
Bibb or green leafy lettuce
4 whole garlic cloves
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt/pepper to taste

Roast garlic cloves over medium heat in skillet for 5 minutes, tossing often. Let cool, peel and mash. Combine ground lamb, Feta cheese, roasted garlic, oregano, thyme and salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and pat out into four patties.

Preheat grill to high, wipe with oil and place patties on grill. Cook 5 minutes per side until done.

Greek Dressing:

1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup yogurt
1 tsp chopped mint
2 tbl spoons red wine vinegar
salt/pepper

Mix ingredients and spread on bun. Top burger with tomato slices and lettuce. Serve with a side of Greek Salad.


For Greek Salad:

1 large fennel bulb, sliced
1 large white onion, diced into small cubes
4 large tomatoes, diced into small cubes
2 large cucumbers, peeled, diced into small cubes
1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, or large black olives sliced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup chopped mint
salt/pepper

Grill sliced fennel with lamb burgers until done, 2-3 minutes per side. Dice. Add grilled fennel, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and olives to bowl.

Mix red wine vinegar, sour cream, yogurt, mint, salt and pepper together in separate bowl. Add to veggies. Let chill for 30-45 minutes.

Serve with burger.