Mezzetta | Make That Sandwich Contest | Make That Sandwich Entry Confirmation
Ingredients:
for the greek patty:
3/4 pound of ground lamb
3/4 pound of ground beef
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 c. Japanese-style bread crumbs
4-6 oz. feta cheese crumbles
2 tbsp. Mezzetta Extra Virgin Olive Oil
for the tzanziki sauce:
1 1/2 c. Greek-style yogurt
1 c. diced cucumber
2 tsp, chopped fresh mint leaves (or 1 tsp. dried)
2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tbsp. lemon juice
and other toppings:
Mezzetta Deli-Sliced Golden Greek Peperoncinis
leaf lettuce
sliced onions
tomato slices
for the bread:
Greek Cheese and Olive Quick Bread (my recipe for this bread is adapted from: http://cheese.food.com/recipe/greek-cheese-and-olive-quick-bread-86008#ixzz1O0EYMsCL)
4 cups self-rising flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. Greek-style yogurt
3/4 c. butter, melted (1 1/2 sticks)
5 eggs
8 oz. feta, crumbled or cut into tiny pieces
1/2 c. Mezzetta Organic Pitted Kalmata Olives, chopped
2 tbsp. Mezzetta extra virgin olive oil
sesame seed
or any crusty deli bread, or pocketless pita bread, slightly toasted
Directions:
for the bread (start with the bread if you are going with the homemade version, or make ahead):
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a baking sheet with Mezzetta's Extra Virgin olive oil.
3. Beat eggs, yogurt and baking powder together.
4. Add butter and eggs to mixture and beat well.
5. Add feta cheese, olives and flour and knead mixture until dough easily comes off hands Add olive oil.
6. Separate dough into 6 equal portions.
7. Shape into 6 balls and place on oiled baking sheet
8. Press down with palm, to flatten slightly. (A bit of Mezzetta's EVO is helpful to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.)
9. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and press again lightly to make them stick.
10. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until cheese breads sound hollow when tapped on bottom.
11. Cool on a wire rack. Once these loaves are cooled, cut them to make buns.
While the bread is baking, make the tzanziki sauce:
1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the greek-style yogurt, cucumber, mint, garlic, salt and lemon juice.
2. Place into refrigerator to keep cool and marry the spices.
Next, the meat of the sandwich:
1. With a fork, mix ground lamb and beef, pepper, salt and other spices, egg, bread crumbs, feta cheese, lemon juice. Using your hands could soften the fat in the meat too much, and make a tough burger. Once the ingredients seem well-blended, divide into six portions, and shape into rounded patties, about 3/4 of inch thick.
2. These burgers can be grilled or prepared in a skillet. If grilling, rub the patties with the olive oil, and cook 8-10 min. per side. For the skillet method, heat olive oil to medium, then add patties, frying each side about 8-10 minutes.
3. Place hot patties on bread, top with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncini, and tzanziki. Serve hot, and get ready for accolades!
