Appetizer from Aleppo of pounded meat mixed with dried mint, fried in the form of patties, then covered with garlicky lemon sauce.

Ingredients:  makes 11 patties 10 X 8 cm

500 g pounded lamb or beef or a mixture of both

1 small onion, grated

4 teaspoons dried and crumbled mint leaves

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon 7 spices

3 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

For sauce

3 garlic cloves, crushed

3 tablespoons lemon juice

5 tablespoons olive oil

1. Mix meat with grated onion, mint, salt, black pepper, and 7 spice powder.

2. Form meat into 10 or 11 patties about 1 cm thick and fry on both sides in vegetable oil.

3. Mix sauce ingredients and pour on patties while still hot.

4. Serve hot or warm.