LAMB BURGERS WITH LEMON-CAPER AIOLI AND FENNEL SLAW

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Lamb Burgers with Lemon-Caper Aioli and Fennel Slaw image

For this lamb burgers recipe, you'll want to splurge on good sturdy bakery buns that can absorb the extra liquid from the slaw and burger without disintegrating.

Provided by Nick Perkins

Yield Makes 4

Number Of Ingredients 21

Lemon-Caper Aioli:
1/4 cup rinsed salt-packed capers
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
Kosher salt
Lamb burgers and assembly:
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb, preferably grass-fed
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 celery stalks, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/2 fennel bulb, thinly sliced; plus 1/4 cup chopped fennel fronds (optional)
1/4 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons crushed dried mint
Freshly ground black pepper
4 potato or ciabatta rolls, toasted
Boquerones (marinated white anchovies; for serving)

Steps:

  • Lemon-Caper Aioli:
  • Place capers in a small bowl and pour in warm water to cover. Let soak 20 minutes. Drain, rinse, and pat dry. Coarsely chop.
  • Whisk capers, mayonnaise, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard, and garlic in a medium bowl; taste and season with salt and more lemon juice, if desired.
  • Assembly:
  • Shape lamb into 4 patties about 1" thick, season with salt, and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, ideally cast iron, over medium. Cook lamb patties, working in batches if needed, until browned (they won't take on as much color as a beef burger), 5-7 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on second side, about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer patties to a plate and let rest 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, toss celery, fennel, fennel fronds (if using), onion, lemon juice, dried mint, and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Season slaw with salt and pepper.
  • Generously spread aioli on cut sides of buns and build each burger with a lamb patty, 3 or 4 boquerones, and a mound of slaw. This is a messy burger, so the bib is not optional.
  • Do Ahead
  • Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

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