1 Tablespoon butter or olive oil
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 small onion, finely chopped

1 pound ground meat – I use chicken or turkey
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried ground sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular if you don’t have smoked)

Heat butter/oil in small- medium sized skillet until melted, add fennel seed,  onion, salt and pepper and saute the mixture until the onions are soft and golden.

Place the ground meat in a bowl, add cooked onion mixture and remaining seasonings, mix well, but gently, don’t overwork the meat. 

Form into patties, if desired and cook on a heated griddle pan or skillet until cooked through a few minutes per side, depending on how thick they are.