Spiced Mini Burgers With Couscous Salad

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups couscous
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6 scallions (green onions) sliced
• 4 plum tomatoes quartered
• 1 seedless cucumber cut into half-moons
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 8 ounce hummus

Directions

1. Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour 1½ cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.  (We tend to use couscous that requires boiling and simmering, but any kind will do.)
2. Form the beef into 12 small ½-inch-thick patties.  Sprinkle with the cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the patties and cook to the desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
4. Toss the couscous with the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, remaining oil, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
5. Serve with the burgers and use hummus as a dip for the patties.

*Give this dinner a Mediterranean twist by using ground lamb for the patties and stirring ¼ cup crumbled Feta into the couscous salad.