Print edition: 
Moroccan-spiced lamb burgers
We belong to a dinner club with 12 to 14 people. We take turns hosting the group. The host selects theme and provides entree. When it was our turn to host, we picked a Moroccan theme because we like Mediterranean food and my fiancee had just finished decorating our parlor in a Moroccan motif. After a trial run, I made some changes to the original recipe and served it at our dinner party. Everyone seemed to like this dish with its combination of sweet and savory, heat with coolness. In addition to making changes in the recipe, I came up with a modified way to serve it. I make the lamb burgers pretty small, then smash one in the bottom of a pita, add greens and red onions, then finish with avocado tzatziki and a splash or two of hot sauce. Served this way, its kind of like a falafel.
Ingredients
Burgers:
2 lbs. ground lamb
1 cup raisins
5 oz. goat cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt and pepper to taste
Avocado tzatziki:
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cucumber, chopped and seeded
1/2 teaspoon cayenne or to taste
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste
Directions
For burgers, mix together ground lamb, raisins, goat cheese, mayonnaise, red onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, cumin, ground coriander, salt and black pepper in medium bowl. Mixture will be moist. Divide into burger patties. Cook approximately 3 minutes per side or until cheese has melted, raisins are tender and lamb has reached desired doneness. Serve on warm pita bread with mixed greens, red onions and fresh herbs.
For tzatziki, combine avocado, garlic, lemon juice, sour cream and cucumber in medium bowl. Mash with a fork until smooth. Season with cayenne, mint, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Drizzle burgers with avocado tzatziki sauce. Makes 6 servings.
Bryan Clark, Wichita
