Greek Lamb Burgers with Chunky Mint Tzatziki
serves 2

Greek Lamb BurgerINGREDIENTS

  • 14 ounces ground lamb
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon snipped chives, plus 1/4 cup chives cut into thirds
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • A drizzle of olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 English cucumber, seeds scooped out, skin peeled off, and cut into chunky half moons
  • 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 pita breads

PROCEDURE

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Preheat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat. In a large bowl, gently combine the lamb, garlic, 1 tablespoon snipped chives, 1 tablespoon oregano leaves, salt, and pepper.  Form the mixture into two burgers, and drizzle on both sides with olive oil.  Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. To warm the pita, wet a big piece of parchment and wring it out.  Wrap it securely around the pita, and put in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. While the burgers grill and the pita warms, make the chunky tzatziki.  Stir together the remaining herbs, the cucumber, the yogurt, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Cut the top quarter off each pita and stuff with the burger and tzatziki.  Devour!