LATIN-SPICED LAMB BURGERS

Latin-Spiced Lamb Burgers image

Provided by Food Network

Time 42m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 1/2 teaspoons whole black pepper
1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons cayenne powder
2 cloves minced fresh garlic
Salt
2 pounds grass-fed ground lamb (antibiotic free, hormone free)
About 1/3 cup dried ancho chiles, caps removed and seeded
About 1/3 cup dried pulla, caps removed and seeded
About 1/3 cup dried pasilla, caps removed and seeded
1 cup water
1 tablespoon sour cream
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic, chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 tablespoon salt
Cream, as needed
6 ciabatta buns, about 6 by 4-inches
3 ounces Cotija cheese
Red onion, sliced
Tomato, sliced
Lettuce or spring green mix

Steps:

Toast the pepper, coriander and cumin together in a dry pan over low heat until they crackle and pop (shake the pan constantly). Their color should be light brown, and spices should smell like toast, popcorn, smoky, etc. Pour them straight into a coffee grinder and blend the seeds to a fine powder. Add the lamb to a medium bowl and stir in all of the spices, the garlic and salt. Combine well. Form the lamb mixture into 6 even patties.
Open the dried peppers and shake out the seeds (a few seeds left in is ok). Add the peppers to a saucepan with the water, and boil over medium heat until only 1/4 cup of liquid remains at the bottom. Add the peppers (with cooking liquid), sour cream, oil, garlic and lime to a blender, and blend it until very smooth. Add the salt and blend again. Pour in enough cream to thin the mixture to a saucy consistency. Pulse a few times to incorporate and get squirtable consistency.
Grill the lamb patties and the ciabatta until nice, dark grill marks are everywhere (lamb is at its juiciest around medium-rare). Put about 1 teaspoon of the sauce on each side of the bun. Slice the patties in half to lay lengthwise on the bread. Crumble the Cotija cheese over the top. Dress Add the onion, tomato slices and lettuce. Cut sandwich lengthwise (along the seam of the lamb patty) and plate with the cross-section facing outward.