Spicy Mediterranean Pita Pocket Lamb Burger with Saffron Hummus Sauce

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon

This rich red easily complements your homemade chicken dishes, red meats, game, and mildly seasoned pastas.

Ingredients

Saffron Hummus Sauce:
1 can chickpeas
3 cloves garlic
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons tahini sauce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup filtered water
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon dill
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried chives
Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
2 roasted red peppers out of a jar sliced thin
½ cucumber sliced into thin long pieces
 ½ red onion sliced thin
3 whole wheat pocket pitas cut in half
Patties:
¾ lb. ground lamb
½ lb. ground sirloin
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons coriander powder
2 tablespoons cumin powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sweet paprika powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke
8 cloves of garlic minced
1 small red onion diced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large egg
6 tablespoons Canola Oil, for brushing the grill

 

Instructions

Mix all patty ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and let sit in refrigerator for 45 minutes to one hour. Mix all Sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and keep in a refrigerator until patties are put on the grill. Form patty mixture into 6 half-moon shaped, ½ inch thick patties. Cover for 10 minutes at room temperature. Light a gas grill. Get grill heated to 350° degrees. Brush the grill rack with the Canola oil. Grill patties on Medium High heat –between 350° and 400° degrees – 5-6 minutes on each side until medium well. Meanwhile take sauce out of the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature 5-6 minutes. Warm up pocket pitas on top of the grill, but do not cut open. Insert one patty into each pita. Top patties with 2 tablespoons hummus sauce each. Add cucumber slices, onions, and red pepper slices. For garnish, stick one or two olives into the center of the top of the pita with a decorative toothpick.