My Honey Lamb and I Burger

Pairs well with:

Gewurztraminer

Hard to pronounce yet easy to drink, this wine combines lychee fruit and white peach flavors with a hint of spice.

This burger is an ode to the great state of Oklahoma, particularly the famous line in the song, Oklahoma.A simply delicious lamb burger that incorporates the classic flavors of lamb in different ways. The garlic comes from the addition of Italian sausage and the mint comes from the addition of fresh mint to my favorite fruit and the one my hometown is known for – peaches. The honey from the title comes into play in a really unique way – caramelizing the onions – it adds sweetness and lets them char fairly quickly, keepipng a little shape and oniony snap. Such a delicious addition to lamb and with a little fresh onion and hot chile tossed into the peach and mint, the flavors dance across your tongue like the folks in the play, Oklahoma. Of course these burgers would have to be served on wheat rolls – Waving Wheat rolls to be exact.

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground lamb
1 1/4 tsp. salt, divided
1 lb. Johnsonville sweet Italian sausage
Colavita Olive Oil for grill
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. lemon pepper
3 tbsp. fresh mint
1 cup finely diced fresh peach
1 tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. minced Serrano chile
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
6 whole wheat hamburger rolls
1/4 cup creole mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded iceberge lettuce

Instructions:

Heat grill to medium-high. Mix lamb, 1 tsp. salt, and sausage. Form into 6 patties. Place on grill and cook until medium, about 6 minutes each side.

Place onion on mesh grill tray (coated with oil) in a single layer. Brush with honey and sprinkle with lemon pepper. Place on grill while patties are cooking and cook, turning and brushing with more honey on occasion until charred in places. When done, remove grill tray from grill or move to a cooler spot of grill; keep warm.

Mix mint, peach, onion, chile, and lemon juice. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and reserve.

When patties are almost done, toast hamburger rolls. Spread bottom half of each roll with creole mustard and lettuce. Place a patty on each and top with the onions, then the peach mixture. Finish with top of roll and serve.

Serves 6