Indian Spiced Burgers

Sometimes, it only takes one thing to inspire your dinner. Yesterday morning I had no idea what to make, but I took out ground beef, threw it on the counter and figured I'd come up with something stupid and boring. Did I mention I woke up grumpy? Then I saw this leftover:


Curry flavored Naan bread, from Trader Joe's. (I know I've been talking about TJ's a lot lately, but I went for the first time in a very long time and forgot about its wonderfulness.) I was inspired! I was still grumpy. (My son is not sleeping well...)

I wanted to make a meal with an Indian flair. So I googled Indian spices and found a lot of them in our cupboard! I was cheering up. Indian Spiced Burgers, I would make, with a side of Tzatziki sauce.

Only, when it came time to make dinner I realized I did not have any yogurt to make tzatziki. No sour cream, no cottage cheese... nothing even close. Except for Gerber Banana Yogurt. Yes, I did consider it. But, after working a very, VERY long day, Carson volunteered to run out and get what I needed. Was I grumpy after that?? NO. Grateful, happy, blessed, smiley face. Here are the burgers:


Indian Spiced Burgers
(Makes 4 burgers)

Ground Beef
1 small onion
4 cloves garlic
1 egg
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
1/4 cinnamon
1/8 nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup panko
1 T chopped parsley
olive oil

Dice onion (I used half of a large onion) and mince garlic. Heat a small amount of olive oil In a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.


In a bowl, combine beef, egg, orange zest, spices, salt and pepper.


Add panko, onions and garlic and chopped parsley. Combine with hands.


Divide meat into 4 parts and form patties. In same pan you sauteed onions and garlic, heat 2 tablespoons or so of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place burgers in pan and don't move them! This gives them a nice crust.


Cook for 6-8 minutes per side. I sliced one open to make sure it was done.


I served this with a modified version of my Chunky Greek Salad and some hummus. What? I said Indian flair...

By the by, I should have served this with Raita, which is an Indian cooling sauce and very similar to tzatziki, but I didn't have mint. Was I going to ask Saintly Carson to go out again?? (I'm shaking my head no.)