March 10: Garlic and Mint Lamb or Chicken Patties on Lentil Salad

SALAD
   Coarse salt
1 cup dried lentils
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 radishes, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
   Coarse black pepper, to taste

PATTIES
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or ground chicken
1 small yellow or white onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons grill seasoning, such as McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
   EVOO, for drizzling
4 flat breads or pita breads, plain or flavored, warm

Bring 2 inches of water to a boil and salt it. Add the lentils and cook for 22 minutes, or until tender. Drain the lentils. While the lentils cook, combine the garlic and shallots with the lemon juice and vinegar in a bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the cumin and EVOO, then add the lentils, radishes, and parsley. Toss to dress the salad. Add the black pepper. Adjust the salt and pepper and reserve until ready to serve.

Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

While the lentils work, in a bowl, combine the ground lamb or chicken with the chopped onions, grill seasoning, cumin, mint, and parsley. Drizzle the meat with EVOO and mound the mixture together, then score it with your hand to divide the meat evenly. Form 8 small patties, 1 inch thick 2 or 3 inches across, and add the patties to the hot skillet. Cook the mini lamb patties for 2 minutes on each side for medium doneness, 4 minutes on each side for fully cooked chicken patties.

Serve a mound of salad with 2 patties and 1 warm flat bread or pita per serving.

4 SERVINGS

I made this recipe last year, but not today. I really liked it (I think I made it with chicken or turkey). I would have made it with lamb this time, but it was Mark's birthday and I did something special for him. We had Papa Murphy's 5 meat stuffed pizza:

Papa Murphy's is a take-n-bake place. You watch them make it and bake it at home.

I also made Outrageously, Ridiculously, Deliciously Rich Brownie Batter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Stupidly Sinful Inulgence Chocolate Frosting. I think that's what they're called.

Happy Birthday to my Hubby Wubby.