Mini Moroccan Lamb Burgers with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Updated February 23, 2016

Chef

Cookbook

Dave's Dinners: A Fresh Approach to Home-Cooked Meals

Published by Hyperion

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This image courtesy of Joseph DeLeo

I like making mini versions of things as finger food. No exception here. I think ground lamb is one of the greatest bargains out there because the meat is so flavorful and juicy. The point of the sauce is to be tangy and refreshing to contrast with the rich flavors of the lamb burgers.

Cooking Methodbaking

CostModerate

Easy

Total Timeunder 30 minutes

OccasionBuffet, Cocktail Party

Recipe Coursehors d'oeuvre

Mealdinner

Moodfestive

Taste and Texturecrisp, meaty, savory, spiced, tangy

Type of Dishcanape/crostini

Ingredients

1½ pounds ground lamb
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
About 20 grinds fresh black pepper
2 garlic cloves, pressed
7 ounces plain yogurt, preferably full fat .
Juice and zest of ½ lemon, plus more lemon zest for garnish
Salt
1 loaf fresh brioche bread

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 500°F.
Make the burgers: Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and work together until they are fully incorporated.
Roll a tablespoon of the mixture into a 3-inch ball and then flatten into a round burger about ½ inch thick.
Place the mini burgers on a nonstick baking sheet and bake about 7 minutes, until evenly and well browned.
Make the sauce: Stir together the yogurt, lemon juice, and zest in a small bowl. Season to taste with a couple of pinches of salt
Cut the brioche into ½-inch slices, then use a small glass to cut as many circles as possible, about 3 inches in diameter, from each slice.
Place the bread circles on a baking sheet. When the burgers come out of the oven, slip the bread in for just a couple of minutes to toast lightly. Watch the bread carefully, or else it will get too dark very quickly.
Place the mini burgers on top of the cut brioche. Top with a dollop of the lemon yogurt and garnish with a good pinch of lemon zest.