UCC Health Matters E-zine January 2014 | Page 4

Angela O’Connell in Law was the overall winner of the ‘Think Outside of the Bun - UCC Staff Build a Balanced Burger competition’, with staff members Maurice Ryder and Nóirín Deady runners up.

Angela submitted a recipe for a tasty Kofta Burger and following a very close final she was awarded the top prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tab2 8GB Wi-Fi 7”.

The burger combines low fat protein, whole grains for fibre and vitamin B, fresh vegetables for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and citrus, spices, and garlic to aid digestion.

Angela’s burger will be served in the Main Restaurant in UCC in 2014 and it will also form part of the meal plan for Operation Transformation from the UCC Health Matters initiative starting in mid-January 2014. The healthy eating initiative was led by Catherine Maguire, Department of Human Resources for UCC Staff Wellbeing and supported by KSG, the Office of Media and Public Relations, UCC Health Matters and the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

The Kofta Burger - Winning Recipe!!

Makes 6 burgers

Ingredients:

600g lean organic lamb mince (or beef)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1.5 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted in pan

1.5 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted in pan

freshly ground black pepper to taste

6 round wholemeal pitta breads

Baby spinach leaves

Thinly sliced cucumber

3 tomatoes, chopped

1-2 small fresh chillies, finely chopped or minced

3 scallions, chopped

Handful fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Juice of 1 lime

To make the relish:

Mix the tomatoes, chillies, scallions, coriander

leaves and lime in a bowl. Set aside.

To make the patties:

Crush the seeds lightly

Combine lamb/beef mince, garlic, black pepper and crushed seeds

Shape into six thin (1cm thick) even patties using clingflim and a rolling pin

Cook under a grill. Place tinfoil on the grill tray beforehand to prevent breakage

Grill for five minutes on each side

Serving:

Warm some pitta breads and slice open

Arrange the patties in the pitta breads and dress with spinach leaves, cucumber and relish

Provide a bowl of organic natural yogurt to add if desired

Thinking Outside the Bun wows judges!

Pictured above; Build a Balanced Burger finalists Nóirín Deady and Maurice Ryder with overall winner Angela O'Connell (far right) (Photo by Tomas Tyner, UCC).