Lamb Slider with Cilantro Pesto & Pomegranate BBQ Sauce

Sliders

• 1 to 2 carrots
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1/2 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 bunches parsley
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups panko
• 1½ lbs lamb
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c. ketchup
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. tabasco
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. rosemary
• 1 Tsp. dry mustard
• 2 bunches rosemary
• 1/4 c. toasted pine nuts
• 1 tsp Ras el Hanout Spice (find at most grocery stores or specialty markets)
• salt and pepper
• soft white buns

Pesto

• 2 bunches cilantro
• 1 tbls minced ginger
• 1 tbls minced garlic
• 1 tbls minced jalepeno
• 1/8 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 cup olive oil

BBQ Sauce

• 1 cup pomegranate molasses
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/8 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 4 pieces star anise
• 6 cloves of garlic (smashed)
• 1 tbls fresh ginger
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp lavender
• 1/2 tsp chili flake
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp clove
• 2 tsp brown mustard seed
• 1/2 tsp fennel seed

For the sliders

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place carrot, celery, yellow onion, garlic, and parsley in the bowl of the food processor. Process until vegetables have been minced, about 30 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice. Transfer vegetables to bowl and add the panko breadcrumbs.
• Add 1/2 cup ketchup, spices, pine nuts, lamb, eggs, salt, pepper, Tabasco, and rosemary. Using your hands, knead the ingredients until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. The texture should be wet, but tight enough to hold its shape.
• Roll the mixture into 2 ounce balls for sliders, or 8 ounce balls for full-size burgers. Flatten balls and form into patties.
• Season burgers with salt & freshly ground black pepper. Sear in a cast-iron skillet or grill to desired temp.

For the pesto

• Add all ingredients to blender and puree until smooth. Season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

For the BBQ sauce

• Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce until mixture coats the back of a spoon. Cool.

To serve

• Spoon a little bit of pesto onto the bottom of each bun, add the burger, and top generously with more pesto and BBQ sauce.
• Add a little fresh arugula for some zip.
• Enjoy!