Our summer plans have been finalized and, God willing, the entire family will be home for a reunion in late July. Tradition dictates that everyone gets to have at least one favorite meal or dessert while they are home. I also want to test some new recipes while "those raised not to lie" are sitting at the table. That means the gal who brought you Christmas cookies in March will be testing new recipes before the hungry horde descends upon the homestead. Today's effort was an old recipe from Gourmet magazine. Lamb patties are mixed with feta cheese, then broiled and finished with a topping of a mildly pickled pepper relish. I've had the recipe for six years or so and decided it's time to test it or toss it. Fortunately, the recipe is a keeper - a solid four on a scale of five. It's gorgeous to look at and vaguely Greek in flavor. I made a Greek salad and roast potatoes with lemon and garlic as an accompaniment. The patties can also be served on rolls or in pocket pita. One meal down, thirteen to go. If you're looking for a change of pace, you might want to give this a try.

Lamb and Feta Patties with Red Pepper and Apple Relish

Ingredients for relish:

3/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup water

2 orange or red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/3 cup golden raisins

1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for patties:

1 slice firm white sandwich bread, torn into pieces

1 scallion, coarsely chopped

1 garlic clove

1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint

1 1/4 lb ground lamb

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/4 lb feta, crumbled (3/4 cup)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1) To make relish, bring vinegar and sugar to a boil in a 2-quart nonreactive heavy saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves. Continue to boil for 1 minute longer. Stir in peppers, raisins, apple, mustard seeds, cayenne pepper and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until peppers and apple are tender, about 25 minutes. Set aside.

2) To make patties, preheat broiler. Place bread, scallion, garlic, and mint in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Place crumbs in a bowl with lamb, egg, feta, salt and pepper. Mix with hands until combined. Do not over mix.

3) Form into 4 1/2-inch patties. Broil patties on oiled rack of a broiler pan 5 inches from heat until browned but still slightly pink in center, about 4 minutes on each side. Serve patties with relish. Yield: 4 servings.

Recipe adapted from Gourmet Magazine - February 2002