Lamb Sliders with Beets, Greens & Beans

These sliders are filled with fresh herbs, spices and feta cheese.  We chose organic, grass fed lamb that we found at a local farmers market.  Although we don't eat a lot of meat, lamb is a rich source of high-quality protein, and an outstanding source of many vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Beets compliment the lamb nicely and are also nutritional powerhouses, packed with essential nutrients like folate, manganese, potassium, iron and vitamin C. Don't discard the greens!  We sauteed ours with garlic, lemon and a splash of wine and added white kidney beans to round out the meal.  Serve with tzatziki.

Ingredients

Sliders:

• 1.5 pounds ground lamb
• 1/2 cup stale crusty bread, crumbled 
• 2T milk
• 2T chopped red onion
• 2T fresh parsley, chopped
• 2T fresh mint, chopped
• 1t allspice
• 1t cumin
• 1-2 clove garlic, crushed
• 1t Greek oregano
• 1T  EVOO
• 1t salt
• 1t pepper
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta

Beets, Greens and Beans:

• 3-4 beets with greens
• 1/2 can of white beans
• 1T lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 2T EVOO
• splash of white wine, optional

Instructions:

To make sliders:

• Cover bread crumbs in milk until absorbed 
• In a large bowl, add lamb, bread crumbs, EVOO, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices.  Using your hands work the mixture until combined.  Add the feta and mix until evenly distributed.
• Roll into sliders, approximately 3" in diameter and pat down to flatten slightly.  They will plump up when grilled or baked
• Set aside while making beets

To make beets:

• Cut off greens and wash thoroughly, chop horizontally to 1" thickness and set aside.  Don't worry about drying them as the water will help them steam while being sauteed.
• You can either boil or steam beets.  Steaming with the skin on allows the beets to cook without losing any nutrients.  Steam or boil unpeeled beets for approximately 20 minutes until tender.  Make sure to submerge them in cold water to cool.  The tough outer peel with then slip away easily.  If you are short on time, peel raw beets, quarter and then boil.  
• Rinse white beans and squeeze lemon juice over and strain
• Saute garlic in EVOO, for 1-2 minutes.  Add greens and let cook for 3-4 minutes. Add a splash of white wine, approximately 1T.  Add beans and beets and cook until warm.  Set aside.

Grill sliders:

Preheat grill to 400'

• Grill sliders approximately 6 minutes per side, until juices run clear

Reheat beets, greens and beans until warm and arrange around sliders.  Serve with our Tzatziki and enjoy!