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Post implant food. Spiced lamb burgers with raitha and mint sambal

I have just had a couple of implants .. that's dental implants, I haven't had my moobs adjusted. Whilst there are many upsides to this, the downside is that in this first stage I am not allowed to drink for two weeks and I also have to eat 'soft food' for a while.
This led me to making these old family favourite lamb burgers with secret hidden veg. The addition of the carrot and or courgette not only gets some veg into a burger it also adds taste and keeps them beautifully moist.

I have chosen an Indian-ish vibe with the spicing and accompaniments but it could just as easily be Greek-y or Turkish-ish.

The cooking time depends on the thickness of the burger, your interpretation of 'nicely browned' and whether you like your burgers well done or are happy with a bit of pink ... personally we are a bit of a pink family.


Ingredients


For the burgers

1 small onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves
bunch of fresh coriander, stalks and leaves
finely grated carrot and/or small courgette
450g/1lb lamb mince
1tsp ground cumin
1tsp ground coriander
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Ground black pepper

optional extra
1 finely chopped green chilli or chilli flakes to taste


For the herbed yoghurt


250g/7oz plain or Greek-style yoghurt
juice of half a lemon
small bunch of chopped fresh coriander leaves
small bunch chopped fresh mint leaves
1-2 green chillies, finely chopped (optional)
1 garlic clove crushed
salt, to taste
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper


Preparation method

For the burgers, roughly chop the onion, garlic, coriander by hand. Place into a bowl with the lamb mince, add the cumin, coriander, carrot/courgette, salt and pepper and mix well.
Shape into six burgers and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes, or until you are ready to cook them. Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start cooking.

Meanwhile, for the raitha, mix together all the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

pre heat the oven to 200

Preheat an oven-safe griddle pan or non-stick pan to high. Place the burgers on until nicely browned on each side. Now put in the oven for 5 minutes or until done to your liking.

Serve with the raitha, sambal a simple leaf salad and some flatbread or wraps

Mint sambal

2 red onions very finely sliced (on a mandoline would be best)
big handful of mint leaves
1 small green chilli, finely diced
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp sea salt

method

combine all ingredients and leave for at least 30 minutes

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