Tzatziki sauce with turkey makes this a wonderful lunch.
Μπαλώματα γαλοπούλας (Greek)
/balómata galopoúlas/
Serves 4
Preheat the grill to medium-high
They can be maked ahead of time and
refrigerate up to 8 hours
1 pound (455 g) turkey
1 cup (130 g) frozen organic spinach (chopped, thawed, and squeezed the water out)
1/2 cup (65 g) crumbled (dairy-free) feta* or goat cheese
1/2 tsp. (1 g) garlic powder and dried oregano
little black pepper
4 (gluten-free) hamburger buns
4 Tbs. (128 g) tzatziki*
sliced organic cucumber
rings of organic red onion
organic lettuce
optional Greek herbs with turkey:
- dill
- marjoram
- mint
- oregano
- parsley
- tarragon
1. Mix together: spinach with the turkey, cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
2. Form into four patties.
3. Oil the grill rack and grill until there is no longer pick in the center, temperature 165F/74C, about 4-6 minutes.
4. Assemble the burgers inside the buns.
5. Top with 1 Tbs. (15 g) tzatziki, slices of cucumber, lettuce, and onion rings.
*Homemade dairy-free feta cheese: https://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2022/01/homemade-dairy-free-feta-cheese.html
*tzatzik
Makes 2 1/2 cups (325 g)
2 cups (260 g) grated organic cucumber (squeeze out the liquid)
1 1/2 cups (580 g) (diary-free) organic yogurt
2 Tbs. (30 ml) olive oil
2 Tbs. (64 g) chopped mint or dill (or 2 tsp./12 g) of dry herb
1 Tbs. (15 ml) organic lemon juice
1 minced organic garlic clove
1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
3. Add more herbs and/or lemon to taste.
4. Serve immediately or chill for later.
5. It will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator.
6. Use the extra sauce on grilled organic vegetables:
- bell peppers
- mushrooms
- carrots
- asparagus
- green beans
- corn on the cob
7. as an appetizer spread:
- toasted (gluten-free) pita wedges
- raw organic vegetables
- olives
- (dairy-free) cheese and (gluten-free) crackers
- in hummus
8. Also:
- with falafel
- pita sandwiches instead of avocado
- tabbouleh
- lentil salad
- chickpea salad
- most Turkish and Greek dishes
