Grilled Lamb Burgers with Red Onion Aïoli

Name: Grilled Lamb Burgers with Red Onion Aïoli
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb. ground lamb; 1 1 ⁄ 2 tsp. ground cumin; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 5 cloves garlic, peeled and wrapped in aluminum foil; 1 large red onion, sliced crosswise into ¼"-thick rings; 1 cup olive oil; 2 egg yolks; Juice and zest of 1 lemon; 1 ⁄ 2 cup canola oil; 2 medium ripe Hass avocados; Juice of 1 lime; 4 hamburger buns, split; Thinly sliced romaine lettuce and tomatoes, for serving; 4 fried eggs, for serving

Serves
serves 4

MARK ROPER

Grilled red onion aioli, smashed avocado, and sunny-side-up eggs top these rich cumin-spiced lamb burgers. This recipe first appeared in our June/July 2013 issue with Curtis Stone's article The Heat Down Under.

Ingredients

1 ¹⁄₂ lb. ground lamb
1 ¹⁄₂ tsp. ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
5 cloves garlic, peeled and wrapped in aluminum foil
1 large red onion, sliced crosswise into ¼"-thick rings
1 cup olive oil
2 egg yolks
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
¹⁄₂ cup canola oil
2 medium ripe Hass avocados
Juice of 1 lime
4 hamburger buns, split
Thinly sliced romaine lettuce and tomatoes, for serving
4 fried eggs, for serving

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Instructions

Step 1

Gently mix lamb, 1 tsp. cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl; divide mixture into 4 patties about 1" thick. Transfer patties to a plate and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to grill.

Step 2

Heat a charcoal grill or set a gas grill to high; bank coals or turn off burner on one side (see "Grilling 101"). Grill garlic until tender, 8-10 minutes; remove from foil and transfer to a food processor. Mix onions and ¼ cup olive oil in a bowl; grill onions, flipping once, until charred in spots and tender, 8-10 minutes. Transfer onions to food processor along with yolks, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper; purée until smooth. With the motor running, drizzle in ½ cup olive oil, plus canola oil until emulsified. Transfer aïoli to a bowl; cover and refrigerate. Cut avocados in half lengthwise; discard pits. Scoop out flesh and mash with remaining cumin, plus lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl; cover and refrigerate.

Step 3

Return grill to high heat. Brush buns with remaining olive oil; grill until lightly toasted, 1-2 minutes and transfer to a serving platter. Grill burgers on hottest part of grill, flipping once, until cooked to desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium rare. If outside starts to burn before burgers are fully cooked, move to cooler section until done. Serve on buns with aïoli, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and top with fried eggs.

Gently mix lamb, 1 tsp. cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl; divide mixture into 4 patties about 1" thick. Transfer patties to a plate and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to grill.
Heat a charcoal grill or set a gas grill to high; bank coals or turn off burner on one side (see "Grilling 101"). Grill garlic until tender, 8-10 minutes; remove from foil and transfer to a food processor. Mix onions and ¼ cup olive oil in a bowl; grill onions, flipping once, until charred in spots and tender, 8-10 minutes. Transfer onions to food processor along with yolks, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper; purée until smooth. With the motor running, drizzle in ½ cup olive oil, plus canola oil until emulsified. Transfer aïoli to a bowl; cover and refrigerate. Cut avocados in half lengthwise; discard pits. Scoop out flesh and mash with remaining cumin, plus lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl; cover and refrigerate.
Return grill to high heat. Brush buns with remaining olive oil; grill until lightly toasted, 1-2 minutes and transfer to a serving platter. Grill burgers on hottest part of grill, flipping once, until cooked to desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium rare. If outside starts to burn before burgers are fully cooked, move to cooler section until done. Serve on buns with aïoli, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and top with fried eggs.