Moroccan Lamb Burgers

Lamb Burger with Tzatziki & Orzo Salad

It's been quiet on the blogging front - who would have thought that i could be quiet for longer than five minutes? Anyway things have calmed down & i am back on track (if i ever was on a track to start with) It's been all about tennis, cycling, bbq's, summer days & birthdays. I love a good game of tennis & when Mrs Robinson & i were growing up we were lucky enough to have a grass court to play on every summer, Mrs Rhodes is an expert tennis player & one of the most competitive i know (a family trait baring myself) but we are always trumped in the fashion stakes by Jerry who always, without fail sports the most dazzling persil induced whites including wristbands & knee high socks. It always pays to psych out the opposition by dressing flashy. Wimbledon was a great day & we struck lucky with the weather, we started to line up at 5am & managed to get general admission & tickets to court 1 later on. The girls & i made a huge picnic which caught the eye of a radio presenter who interviewed Liz & i for Radio Wimbledon which was pretty funny, given i'm not very good at being on the spot & have a tendency to spraff. Yes surprising i know.

Couscous Salad

The Lipchuck's hosted their first BBQ in their Fulham pad which was delicious & great fun. They like their food as much as we do & are always game for a good feed. Apart from a good dose of meat expertly cooked there was an array of brilliant salads. Liz made a very good Potato Salad, i love the fact that people have their individual ways of making dishes, it makes life & eating so much more interesting. The Houseboy always says 'you don't make friends with salad' but that's rubbish, salads don't have to be boring side dishes, they can be the main attraction. Frankly it's what you make of them. I take lunch to work most days & always enjoy making up new combinations. My current favourite is 'Giant Couscous with salmon, flaked almond, spring onions & apricots'.

 

Liz's Potato Salad

I also celebrated my birthday at the weekend, i'm not 21 anymore, but not quite old enough to collect my free bus pass. I was very lucky and received some amazing gifts including the most beautiful paintings from my family by the Scottish artist Jolomo who i love. I can't wait to hang them, i'm just waiting for the second one to arrive in London. When i have my first house (the piggy bank needs a little work first...) i'm going to fill it with gorgeous paintings & of course a magical kitchen where i can play out my obsession with jars, labels & filling spices to my hearts content.

Another of Liz's great salads

The House boy was a star over the weekend, cooking me a delicious meal of Grilled Seabass with Salsa Verde & New Potatoes & then on the Sunday taking to The Ledbury for one of the best meals i have ever experienced. The tasting course was just fantastic & it's almost feels like a dream. There was course after course & each one was unique. The head chef is Brett Graham an Australian who has trained with the best of them. I could probably write a ten page essay on the meal, but for the sake of your sanity i will give you they highlights. "Lightly Poached Quails Egg with a Pea Puree & Toasted Bacon', 'Fois Gras Mousse with Gooseberries', 'Seabass with Potato Rissotto' & 'Guinea Fowl with Spinach Puree & Carrots' See? Utterly amazing! I would strongly recommend this restaurant to everyone, but it definitely is an occasion place. Saying that they do a very reasonable set menu, any takers? 

Orzo Salad

I don't eat a lot of lamb much to the Houseboy's disappointment, it's always been my least favourite meat, but i'm getting more into it, i'l eat anything with a good wack of garlic! I will never make it to mutton but spring lamb & burgers have got my vote. This meal has three parts to it, but they are all relatively easy & can be done round each other. It's a case of being organised & keeping your kitchen tidy as you go along.

Ingredients:

          The Burgers

• 500g lamb mince
• 1/2 red onion
• 1/2 red chili
• 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika (or normal paprika)
• 1/2 tsp of ground cumin
• 2 cloves of garlic
• handful of coriander
• s&p
  
  The Salad

• orzo pasta 
• 2 handfuls of green peas (fresh is possible)
• 2 spring onion -finely sliced
• 45g pine nuts
• 1 small bag of rocket

            

          Tzatziki

• 350g greek yoghurt 
•  1 cucumber
•  2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves of garlic, grated finely
• s&p

Method:

Start by making the lamb burgers. Crush the garlic, finely chop the chili, onion & coriander & place in a bowl. Add the remaining burger ingredients & combine well using your hands. Shape into pattys (this made 3 large one) Set aside so all the flavours mix together.

Now start on the salad. Put the orzo on to cook according to the instructions on the packet. While it's bubbling away place the finely sliced spring onion, pine nuts & rocket in a bowl. Two minutes before the orzo is ready add the peas to give them a quick cook. Drain & leave to cool.

Now its time to grill the burgers-this should take 20-30mins. While they are cooking you can whip up the tzatziki. Half the cucumber long ways & scoop out the middle. Carefully grate the cucumber onto thin clean cloth. Gather the cloth together & gently squeeze as much liquid out as possible. Transfer into a bowl & add the remaining ingredients mixing well. Check the burgers are ready & take out if cooked-leave to rest for a few minutes. Take the cooled orzo & peas & mix in with the other salad bits. Serve up!

One of my new paintings by Jolomo