Labor Day Love

Another nice family gathering in the books over a Mediterranean themed dinner. All the kids and SO's with a friend or two mixed in. Beautiful evening in Omaha between showers and storms.

I had some ground lamb in the freezer (about 2 pounds) and originally intended to make burgers but decided on sliders instead with Kefta spices. The 2 ounce patties were perfect portions for most of us and if you wanted a second or third then no guilt. Topped with feta and pickled red onions, they hit the spot as a foil to a salad laden with garden cukes, olives, tomatoes and a light Greek style vinaigrette.

The lamb was seasoned with typical regional spices including Cumin, Coriander, paprika, garlic and mint. Mint was also in the salad dressing. Tzatziki sauce for topping and a few chicken sausages for the not so crazy about lamb people and we were all set.

The spice mix for the sliders:

2 pounds ground beef or lamb (Kefta)

1/2 grated onion (I used a whole shallot)
2 garlic cloves minced
2 t paprika
2 t cumin
1/4 t coriander
1/4 t ground clove
1/4 t nutmeg
1/8 t ground cinnamon
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper

Opt  chopped mint about 1/3 cup, chopped pine nuts

Mix and using a 2 ounce scoop, form into equal portions. Form into balls and flatten, poking a depression in the centers. Makes a bout 13 slider patties. Grill over medium-high heat about 4 minutes per side.

 





Top with crumbled feta, Tzatziki sauce, pickled red onions.

For the Tzatziki I used grated cukes (about 2 medium, slated and drained mixed with 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup plain yogurt. Salt carefully as the cukles will be salty and ground pepper.