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We've loved discovering London; learning the under and over ground transportation systems, strolling along the Thames, discovering beautiful parks for picnics and fun playgrounds for the children, exploring fascinating museums, shopping (or at least browsing) in the high end department stores, getting lost in all the wonderful history, and of course, for these two avid foodies, uncovering wonderful markets, cafés and restaurants.
One of our favorite places to go for great food is a tiny little shop in the Kensington area of London. From our daughter's home, it's 15 minutes on the tube (the London underground) and then a delightful 10 minute walk, past ancient stone churches, markets overflowing with jewel-hued flowers, and shop after charming shop. A turn onto a narrow cobblestone street finds us at our delicious destination; Ottolenghi. We discovered the shop owned by Yotam Ottolenghi and his partner Sami Tamimi on one of our very first visits to London. I'd never heard of either of them at that time, but they've since become household words here at The Café and in culinary circles all over the world, as they've released one fabulous cookbook after another.
Their specialty is Middle Eastern, both of them hailing from Jerusalem, yet, with totally different ethnic backgrounds, they each bring an amazing array and diversity of flavors, ingredients and personal style to the table. The emphasis is on fresh, seasonal vegetables and they have a way of magically combining them with other unique ingredients yielding beyond delicious results.
I love the fact that, nowadays, I don’t have to go to London to enjoy delicious Ottolenghi creations. I’ve collected all of their cookbooks over the past few years and have bookmarked a zillion wonderful recipes to try.
This time I couldn’t resist the Turkey & Zucchini Burgers w/ Green Onion & Cumin from their latest cookbook, aptly titled Jerusalem. I did adapt the recipe a bit, but I do believe that even Yotam himself would approve of my cha as I added fresh corn, diced red pepper and substituted ground chicken for the turkey. I called my burgers Chicken, Zucchini and Fresh Corn Burgers and served the burgers wrapped in my Homemade Flour Tortillas, spread with a bit of hummus, piled high with Tomato-Cucumber Relish and then drizzled with a simple Greek Yogurt Sauce. It’s super delicious and, if you close your eyes while you eat it, you very well might just picture yourself sitting in a lovely park, right in the heart of London, enjoying takeout from Ottolenghi.
- Ingredients for the Greek yogurt sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Ingredients for the burgers:
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1 medium zucchini coarsely chopped
- 1 ear fresh corn husks and silk removed and kernels cut from cob
- ½ medium red bell pepper finely diced
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper about 3-4 tablespoon olive oil for searing
- Ingredients for the Tomato-Cucumber Relish:
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
- ⅓ medium seedless English cucumber finely diced
- 2 green onions finely sliced
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic minced
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
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First, make Greek yogurt sauce by mixing all ingredients in small bowl and placing in the fridge.
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl combine all burger ingredients except oil. Mix with your hands and form into desired patty sizes.
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Pour enough oil to cover bottom of large frying pan. Heat over medium heat until hot, then sear burgers about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
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Carefully transfer the seared burgers to a baking sheet and place in oven 7-10 minutes, or until cooked through.
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While burgers are baking, prepare tomato-cucumber relish by combining all ingredients in a medium size bow. Stir gently to combine.
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I like to serve these burgers with Homemade Flour Tortillas spread with a bit of hummus. They're also delightful served with pita bread, basmati rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, etc.
Beth says
This is so appealing! I love your variation on the recipe. And I'm so envious about the amount of time you spend in London.
Sophia Del Gigante says
Man these REALLY sound good! They are absolutely gorgeous too! I love them!
Pam says
What a great combination of flavors and textures!
www.you-made-that.com says
I love the favors in these burgers they would be gobbled up by me in a flash. How fun to be able to travel to London as often as you get to (have to). My parents and I would be the same way if I lived that far apart with their grandchildren. Thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Love that you added zucchini and corn to the chicken burger - this would definitely be my favorite! And with that Greek yogurt sauce on the side - so good!
Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
I love MidEastern food. It is so packed with flavor. I can't wait to try these. I love the idea of yogurt instead of mayo.
I have a friend that went to England. She said she woke up in the morning saying "to the left, to the left, to the left." Her husband thought she was dreaming about dancing. She said she was planning on renting a car. I guess she was reminding herself while she slept.
bellini says
These do sound amazing!!!
Liz Berg says
This cookbook is on my wish list! I should just bite the bullet and order it. Then I can enjoy these wonderful burgers plus a lot more!
Veronica Miller says
I had a Greek gyro today and I'm just totally ready to devour my screen - I love Middle Eastern food! These look so good Chris!
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
May just be the prettiest burgers I've ever seen:@)
Kitchen Riffs says
So great that you get to visit London on a regular basis - that's a wonderful city. And these burgers looks terrific too - great way to use the zucchini and corn I'm buying in vast quantities at the moment. Good stuff - thanks.
twodogsinthekitchen says
I love hearing about going to London. I must be nice to get away and enjoy the sights, shops and restaurants there. Your description is perfect! These burgers sound absolutely terrific, going to pin this one also. (I swear I say that a lot on your blog!).
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I've never been to London Chris so I'll just have to make these instead. Love that you used chicken instead of turkey. It's not that easy to find here.
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
I love these burger patties full of veggies. It gives me the right excuse to eat more...
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, Yotam Ottolenghi´s cookbooks are extremly popular in Europe, his latest vegetarian cookbook "Jerusalem" has been on many bestseller lists since its publication in September of last year. I am also an avid fan of many of his recipes and your version of his Zucchini and Turkey Burgers looks healthy, colorful and delicious - perfect summer food for the family!
Chris Scheuer says
Amy, that would work just great, I would probably freeze them on a large parchment paper lined sheet pan, then, once they're frozen, throw them in a freezer bag. That way, you could take out just as many as you needed.
Angie Schneider says
My husband love to dip the meat patties with Greek yogurt sauce too! These chicken patties mixed with zucchini look succulent and beautiful, Chris.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I love London, it's someplace I often think might be the next move for us.. so I will definitely keep in mind Ottolenghi!
These burgers look so fresh and delicious, thanks for sharing!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love these burgers, Chris! Just wish I could reach one through the screen and grab one for my lunch :).
Tricia Buice says
Oh my Chris. I loved everything about this post. The story, the beautiful descriptions of London and of course this recipe. Outstanding! Now I know who to call when we go to England one day - my favorite travel agent/food blogger!
Chris Scheuer says
You are so kind Tricia, I'd LOVE to show you around London!
La Table De Nana says
It would certainly MAKE us travel if our children moved overseas.
You must look forward to every visit..and you must always have something to look forward to:)
That's a secret..to have something to look forward to:)Powerful.
I have heaard of the resto..and this looks so appetizing..I am sure if someone wasn't fond of ground turkey..chicken..pork could work?
What do you think Chris?
Your presentation is fresh and appetizing too!
Chris Scheuer says
Monique, yes I think pork would also work well. I used chicken and did have to add the bread (panko) crumbs as the mixture was a bit wet. Perhaps with pork you wouldn't need them but they certainly didn't deter from a delicious result!
Lesleyc says
So glad you love my city! I love Ottolenghi's books and heard today that he has two new books planned for late next year "Plenty More" and also The Nopi Cookbook" written with his head chef at his flagship Nopi Restaurant in Piccadilly which some say is one the best restaurants in London - so maybe one for your next trip?
Best wishes - Lesley
Chris Scheuer says
Oh thank you for this great news Lesleye! I'll so look forward to the new books. And we'll definitely put Nopi on our to-try list! We'll be heading over there this Fall, can't wait!
Kim G. says
I'm just in love with Ottolenghi's books! The recipes are terrific and every time I prepare something I picked in one of his books, I just raves about it! These burgers looks pretty good and I too love the addition of corn and peppers!
Ginny says
Again, your pictures are awesome!!!! You find the coolest recipes! And I would so love to go to London. I hear they have five or six kinds of cream! Where is it that you live now, what state?
Chris Scheuer says
We live in North Carolina, I believe you're in Virginia Ginny. We'll have to plan a rendezvous one day soon!
Tony Rose says
Love the look of these burgers, I've just got to try them.