Beef, Mint, and Pepperoncini Burgers with Lemon-Feta Sauce |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 5 |
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This large, heaping burger might best be eaten with a knife and fork. The heat, tang, and crunch of pepperoncini peppers are welcome additions to the herb-filled burger. Look for jars of the peppers in the grocery store's pickle aisle. The creamy sauce tames the heat of the pepper. Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes |
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint |
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice |
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese |
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt |
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice |
1 tablespoon honey |
1 garlic clove |
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint |
1/2 cup finely chopped seeded pickled pepperoncini peppers |
1/4 teaspoon salt |
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
1/4 teaspoon black pepper |
1 large egg white, lightly beaten |
1 pound ground round |
cooking spray |
5 (2-ounce) kaiser rolls or hamburger buns |
Directions:
1. To prepare relish, combine tomatoes, 1 tablespoon mint, and 1 tablespoon juice; cover and chill until ready to serve.
2. To prepare sauce, place feta cheese and next 4 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor, and process 2 minutes or until smooth, scraping sides. Cover and chill.
3. Prepare grill or broiler.
4. To prepare burgers, combine 1/2 cup mint and next 6 ingredients (through beef). Divide mixture into 5 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Place patties on a grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Place 1 patty on bottom half of each bun; top with 1/4 cup relish. Drizzle each serving with about 2 tablespoons sauce; top with top halves of buns. Serve immediately.
5. Wine note: The sauce of lemon, feta cheese, and yogurt on this tasty burger adds a salty, tangy flavor that can make many red wines taste flat and dull. So opt for a fresh, clean, dry white wine instead (whoever said white wines don't go with red meat?). My favorite choice: a snappy pinot grigio, served well chilled. The 2003 Zenato Pinot Grigio from Veneto, Italy, is an affordable choice at about $10. -Karen MacNeil
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