Chopped Lamb Steak with Garlicky Spinach

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"Chopped steaks are really just glorified hamburgers," Marcia Kiesel says. "It's a ground meat patty, but you eat it with a fork and knife like a steak—with or without bread." Marcia updates the old-fashioned diner staple by using ground lamb instead of beef and serving it with garlicky wilted spinach and warm goat cheese. "It's such a lazy summer meal," she says.Plus: F&W's Grilling Guide More Lamb Recipes

Chopped Lamb Steak with Garlicky Spinach
These juicy chopped lamb steaks can be eaten with a knife and fork, or on top of bread that’s been spread with tangy goat cheese. Photo: © Kana Okada
Total Time:
45 mins
Yield:
4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound spinach, stems discarded and leaves rinsed

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

  • 1 small red onion, finely diced

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb

  • 2 tablespoons dry red wine, preferably Pinot Noir

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 large garlic clove, minced

  • 4 slices of peasant bread

  • 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, cut into 4 pieces

  • Marjoram leaves, for garnish

Directions

  1. Heat a medium skillet over moderately high heat. Add a large handful of spinach and cook, stirring, until the leaves are wilted. Transfer the wilted spinach to a colander and repeat with the remaining leaves. Gently squeeze the spinach dry, coarsely chop and reserve.

  2. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the red onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer the onion to a large bowl and let cool. Add the ground lamb to the bowl and break it up slightly. Add the red wine, cumin, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and blend well. Gently form the mixture into four 4-inch patties.

  3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook over moderate heat until fragrant, about 40 seconds. Add the wilted spinach and cook, stirring, until hot. Season the spinach with salt and pepper, cover and keep warm.

  4. Light a grill. Lightly brush the bread with olive oil and grill, turning once, until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Spread the fresh goat cheese on the bread and top with the garlicky spinach.

  5. Brush the lamb patties with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Grill over moderately high heat, turning once, until the patties are nicely charred outside and medium-rare within, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chopped lamb steaks to the bread, garnish with marjoram leaves and serve with a fork and knife.

Make Ahead

The garlicky spinach and lamb patties can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Rewarm the spinach before serving. Bring the lamb patties to room temperature before grilling.

Notes

You can also serve the chopped steaks without bread by piling the spinach and goat cheese on top.

Suggested Pairing

An easygoing wine to drink with it: a Pinot Noir with light oak flavors that are tasty with the slight char on the lamb.

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