Lamb Burgers with the condiment I can't spell (tzatziki)

 So one of my favorite things to do with ground lamb is lamb burgers.  And instead of the ketchup that usually accompanies a beef burger, I prefer the condiment I have to look up every time I want to write about it, tzatziki.  It's super easy to make, adaptable, and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 medium cucumber, seeded, shredded and squeezed to remove excess moisture (I use a clean towel here to twist and wring out the moisture.

yogurt (I use greek 2%) to equal the amount of cucumber.

1 garlic clove, pressed or grated on a microplane

2-3 tsp lemon juice.

Salt and pepper

Directions

 Mix grated cucumber with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and spices.  Chill and serve.

Here's a pic of a lamb burger w/ a tzatziki crown.  And tots.  Because tots are always allowed.

https://guilfordcsachallenge.blogspot.com/2021/07/lamb-burgers-with-condiment-i-cant.html

Peanut Chicken Soba Salad

 Adapted from Peanut Chicken Soba Salad Cooking Light 2004

 This is a great idea for a delicious chicken salad when it's hot outside.  I've adapted the original Cooking  Light recipe to work with what you've got and to include more veggies.  Serve 2 generously

•  6-8 oz cooked chicken
  
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon honey or 1 tablespoon Kotterin Mirin 
• 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee or Siracha) or more to taste
  
• 2 cups cooked soba noodles (about 4 ounces uncooked)
• 2-3  cups thinly chopped cabbage and/or grated carrot
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (oh shoot, I forget these)
• ¼ cup minced red onion (maybe a bit more since I forget the green onions above)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (mint, thai basil and cilantro are great additions here and more of all is ok)
• 2 tbs chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts 

Directions:

Acquire 6-8 oz of cooked chicken.  This could be leftover roast or rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken breast or thighs (my favorite is 9-10 oz of chicken thighs, seasoned w/ salt and pepper and grilled).  I reckon it could also be firm crumbled tofu, though I haven't tried that yet.

Put shredded cooked chicken (by whatever method) in a bowl.  Combine vinegar, oil, soy, Mirin/Honey,  chili sauce in a bowl (add more or less of any of these condiment to taste).  Pour over shredded  chicken and let stand at least 5 minutes.  

Chop cabbage, grate carrot, chop onion and herbs as you are using.

Put peanuts in plastic zip loc bag and smash lightly with meat mallet.

Cook soba noodles according to package directions.  When done, rinse briefly with cold water and add to bowl with chicken.  Add veggies and herbs (shredded cabbage and carrot, basil, mint and onions) and toss to combine). 

Portion between two bowls, garnish with smashed/chopped peanuts.

A pic or two:

When you forget the peanuts:

 

When you remember the peanuts: