Breaking bread by a fire is an ancient, even primal, ritual. It’s grounding, comforting and soothing—who hasn’t lost themselves gazing into the dancing flames? It’s also casual, familiar and natural.
Makes 16 sliders
Sliders are just mini-burgers, and who doesn’t crave a burger every now and then? We love the earthy flavour of grass-fed Canadian lamb, but since we also love flexibility, feel free to use any ground meat you prefer; after all, the rye-spiked caramelized onions do steal the show. And speaking of flexibility, go ahead and use a wrap of your choice: mini-bun, pita, naans or even an iceberg lettuce cup for those going gluten-free.
Rye-Spiked Caramelized Onions:
3 tbsp vegetable oil
5 cups thinly sliced cooking onions
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp whole yellow mustard seeds
1/2 cup Canadian rye
1 tbsp maple syrup
Lamb Sliders:
2 lb ground lamb, grass-fed and local if possible
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
2 free-run eggs
2 tbsp 35% cream
2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
Vegetable oil, for frying
16 buns or wraps of your choice
Rye-Spiked Caramelized Onions:
- In large skillet over medium-low heat, add 3 tbsp of the vegetable oil, sliced onions, 1 tsp of the sea salt and 1/2 tsp of the pepper.
- Stir often, and if onions are browning too rapidly, reduce heat to low.
- Caramelizing the onions should take a good while—don’t rush it!
- Keep cooking, stirring often, until soft and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Add mustard seeds; fry for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in rye; let alcohol burn off, about 5 minutes.
- Add maple syrup, stir to combine and remove from heat; set aside.
- TIP The onions can be made in advance and reheated prior to serving.
Lamb Sliders:
- In large bowl, add ground lamb, 1 tsp of the salt,1 tsp of the pepper, cumin, eggs, cream and garlic.
- Using clean hands (remove any bling!), blend meat mixture until fully combined. You shouldn’t be able to see any signs of egg or cream.
- Form into patties a little bigger than a golf ball but not quite as big as a cue ball, and bigger than the buns you’ve purchased, as they will shrink a bit when cooked.
- Arrange patties as you form them, on a platter or tray.
- When ready to cook, place on a flat grill over medium-high heat or pan fry in a very large skillet; add a tiny amount of oil—just enough to prevent sticking—when pan is very hot, then add the first round of patties.
- If cooking in a pan, do not overcrowd.
- After about 3 minutes, flip patties and cook other side about 3 more minutes, until both sides are golden brown and meat thermometer reads 160°F (for medium) when inserted into the centre of a patty.
To serve, dress patties with a generous dollop of Rye-Spiked Caramelized Onions and any other condiment or fresh veggies you enjoy with lamb.
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From Hudson, Quebec, now living in Port Hope, Ontario, Signe is a restaurant chef-turned-writer who tells award-winning stories and creates delicious recipes for LCBO’s Food & Drink, Manna Pro Hearty Homestead, The Harvest Commission, and Today’s Parent; she published her first book – Happy Hens & Fresh Eggs; Keeping Chickens in the Kitchen Garden with 100 Recipes – in 2015.
