Mpiftekia, pronounced beef-TE-kya, which are Greek homemade burgers, can be shaped round, oblong or even wrapped around a skewer and grilled.

They are ideal for those who are on a diet provided the meat is lean and served with a salad.

All it needs is to squeeze some fresh lemon juice when they are still hot and serve with a low-fat yoghurt sauce and some low calorie roasted potatoes in parchment paper.

There is a huge difference between homemade beef burgers, using good quality meat and no preservatives and store-bought burgers . You know what ingredients are in there.

Not everyone in the family is watching their weight, so I spoil them with Fried potatoes, the Greek way (fried in olive oil) or healthier roasted potatoes wrapped in parchment paper, regular Tzatziki or Avocado Tzatziki and Tyropitakia (feta triangles).

My children prefer them the American way, in a bun with ketchup, some vegetables such as lettuce, tomato, onion slices mixed with parsley and pickled cucumbers and sometimes I also make some caramelized onions.

The burgers I made are around 200 grams each, uncooked. I am not on a diet but like to eat healthy. If you are on a diet you can make your burgers around 150 grams each.

You can grill the burgers on an electric bbq, over charcoal, in the oven or on the stove top using a cast iron pan.

To light the charcoal:

Put the charcoal in a pyramid at the bottom of the grill.
Add lighter fluid to the charcoal and light the charcoal.
You are ready for charcoal grilling when they are mostly covered in ash and glow red with no visible flame. This will take about half an hour.
Spread the charcoal out on the bottom of the grill.

Mpiftekia (Greek Beef burgers)

Name: Mpiftekia (Greek Beef burgers)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 kilo ground veal; 2 medium onions; 4 slices toast bread with the crust, ground; 1/4 cup olive oil; ½ cup chopped parsley; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon salt; Freshly grated black pepper; A pinch of oregano; A pinch of thyme

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Mpiftekia, pronounced beef-TE-kya, which are Greek homemade burgers, can be shaped round, oblong or even wrapped around a skewer and grilled.

Ingredients

1 kilo ground veal
2 medium onions
4 slices toast bread with the crust, ground
1/4 cup olive oil
½ cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon salt
Freshly grated black pepper
A pinch of oregano
A pinch of thyme

Instructions

Crumble the bread in a food processor. Add it to the minced meat.
Puree the onion with a little olive oil in a food processor.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Shape the burgers. (If you want to store them in the freezer wrap them with cling film). Refrigerate until ready to grill.
Put the burgers on the grill and cook on both sides for ten minutes.
If not barbecuing, lay an aluminum foil on the grill of your oven and bake near the grill for about 15 minutes. Turn them over and simultaneously remove the foil.
Bake on the other side for 5 more minutes.
To cook them in a cast iron skillet, heat the pan very well. Put the burgers and wait until they change colour from pink to grey, reaching the middle. Then turn them over and cook on the other side as well and cook for five more minutes.
Serve with some rice, potato chips or salad.

Nutrition Information

Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 500Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 19gCholesterol 128mgSodium 1519mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 45g