Greek Hamburgers with Tzataiki Sauce

I have a question for those who love to read recipes.  Have you ever read a recipe and thought, "I have got to make that recipe?"  That is just what I thought when I found this recipe.  We haven't eaten much Greek food and my husband is not very adventurous when it comes to trying new food.  Who would I cook this meal for?  The recipe kept haunting my thoughts!  I had to try.  I am so glad I did.  It was yummy!  

The patties are full of interesting ingredients; feta, spinach, mint, dill...  The best part about the patties is they don't taste like hamburger!  For those who don't know me, I am not a fan of the flavor of meat.  You have to well season the meat for me to like.

The burger is almost too much to fit in your mouth.  I loved the toppings of spinach, tomatoes, and cucumber.  A sandwich with just the toppings and the tzataiki sauce would make a great lunch. 

My husband liked the burger and said he would eat it again. He didn't have the enthusiasm about the burger that I did but I know I can make it again without any whining.  Can't wait.

Ingredients for the tzatziki sauce:
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove finely minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 cucumber
salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the burgers:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 cups lightly packed baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef

Ingredients for toppings:
4 whole wheat English muffins
sliced cucumber
thinly sliced red onion
baby spinach leaves
tomato slices

 

Directions for the tzatziki sauce:Shred cucumber, wrap in a towel or paper towels and squeeze to remove as much water as possible.
Combine all ingredients and season to taste.

Directions for the burgers:
Heat oil in a small skillet. Saute onions until soft. Add spinach and cook until wilted- about 1 minute. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, wrap mixture in a paper towel and squeeze to drain most of the liquid out.
Combine feta, herbs, salt, pepper and spinach mixture and ground beef. Form into 4 patties.
Grill over medium high heat on a well-oiled grill. Grill for 4 minutes on one side, flip burgers and grill for 3 minutes on the other.
Top with tzatziki, cucumber, onion, tomato and spinach.

Moist Bran Muffins

Smiths grocery store used to make the most delicious bran muffins.  I loved them!  This recipe is the closest one to those muffins but still not as good.  I got the recipe from Red Mill bran package.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat bran
• 1½  cup whole wheat flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 t salt
• ¾  cup raisins
• ½  cup nuts chopped
• 1 cup milk
• ½  cup molasses
• ½  cup sugar
• ¾  cup applesauce
• 2 T oil
• 2 eggs beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.
Combine wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking soda, and salt.  Stir in nuts and raisins.  In a separate bowl, blend milk, molasses, sugar, applesauce, oil, and eggs.  Add to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.  Spoon into greased muffin tin (or paper muffin cups) and bake for 15-20 minutes.