LAMB PATTIES WITH GARLIC AND MINT OVER MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD

Lamb Patties with Garlic and Mint over Mediterranean Chopped Salad image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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3/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, divided
1 3/4 pounds ground lamb
5 to 6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (a generous handful), finely chopped
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon grill seasoning, such as McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning (half a palmful)
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon ground cumin (half a palmful)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus some for drizzling
1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 cup feta cheese crumbles (1/3 pound)
8 pepperoncini peppers, chopped
Juice of 2 lemons
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 pita breads, any flavor or brand, warmed in the oven or toaster oven, then cut into halves or quarters

Steps:

Coarsely chop the parsley. Set aside two thirds and finely chop the rest.
Heat a grill pan or a large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat. Place the ground lamb in a bowl with the garlic, shallots, mint, finely chopped parsley, grill seasoning, cumin, and a generous drizzle of EVOO. Mix the meat and score it into 8 portions. Form 8 patties, each 3 inches across and 1 inch thick. Add the patties to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes on each side.
While the meat cooks, combine all the vegetables with the reserved coarsely chopped parsley, the olives, cheese, and hot peppers. Dress the salad with the juice of 2 lemons and about 3 tablespoons EVOO (3 times around the bowl). Season the salad with salt and pepper. Serve the salad with 2 patties of lamb on top and warm pita bread alongside.