The Great Greek Burger

Pairs well with:

Merlot

Get cozy and get pouring. Our Merlot is the wine for long weekends and lengthy chats.

My father is a veteran and we used to be stationed in Athens, Greece. I met my wife there and we have always maintained our fondness for Greece and Greek food.

Ingredients:

Burger Patties:

• 2 1/4 pounds ground chuck (20% fat)

• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon fresh dill

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

leaves

• 1 medium tomato finely chopped

• ¼ cup black olives (pitted) and finely

chopped

Greek Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 medium cucumber

• ½ tsp Sea Salt

• 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

Other Ingredients:

• 12 Fresh Mint leaves

• ½ red onion thinly sliced

• 6 pitas (without the pocket), cut in half,

lightly brushed with olive oil and grilled on

each side.

Instructions:

Patties: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix together well. Form the mixture into 6 equal patties. Start preparing the grill by heating it to medium-high. With a paper towel, lightly oil the grill rack. When the grill is ready, place the prepared patties on the rack and cook them until they are done to preference.

Tzatziki Sauce: Place a cheese cloth over a bowl (be sure it is fitted). Using a grater, grate the cucumber on the side with the large or medium holes. Place the grated cucumber on the cheese cloth fitted over the bowl and strain it for 10 minutes. Squeeze out any excess moisture. Salt the cucumber. Place the cucumber in a bowl with the yogurt, feta, garlic and mint and mix well.

Assembly of Burgers: Take the previously prepared pitas and smear the tzatziki sauce on half of them. Remove the patties from the grill and place them on the pitas with the tzatziki sauce. Top the patties with a teaspoon of tzatziki sauce, sliced onions, and two mint leaves. Place the other half of the pita on top. If preferred, the pita can be cut to the size of the patty. Enjoy