Since we first tried Traynor's Merlot/Syrah blend we fell in love with it. It has tons of flavour while still remaining an easy to drink wine. We knew we needed to find the perfect pairing for it as unique as the wine itself. That's when we stumbled upon this lamb burgers' recipe.
They're super easy to make and fantastic for every occasion whether you're hosting some friends or you just need a quick bite before continuing with the daily grind and if you're not a fan of blue cheese, don't sweat it, they're as good with a couple of sharp cheddar slices.
Ingredients (makes 4):
- 2 oz Blue Cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1-1/4 lb. ground lamb
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 4 thick slices of red onion
- 4 hamburger rolls, toasted
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare a medium-high (400°F to 475°F) gas or charcoal grill fire.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the cheese, basil, mayonnaise, and mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 3: In a large bowl, gently combine the lamb with the garlic and onion powders, paprika, 1 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Form into 4 thin patties about 5-1/2 inches wide.
Step 4: Grill the burgers and onion slices, flipping once, until the burgers are cooked to your liking (145°F for medium) and the onions are tender, 4 to 5 minutes for the burgers, 8 to 9 minutes for the onions.
Step 5: Spread the bun tops with the blue cheese mixture, and serve the burgers on the buns topped with the onions.
The deep flavour in these burgers comes from mixing a little onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into the ground lamb before grilling and goes very well with the Merlot/Syrah's rich, full-bodied notes of chocolate and black pepper while the jammy finish keeps making you go back for it after each bite.
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Do you have a favourite dish to pair with Traynor’s wines? Share them with us @traynorvineyard so we can taste them along with you.
