Turkish Lamb Pita Burgers Recipes

TURKISH LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine lamb, 1/2 cup onions, 1 teaspoon salt, pumpkin pie spice, pine nuts, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper in medium bowl. Mix gently. Using moistened hands, form lamb mixture into 4 equal patties, each about 1/2 inch thick.
• Combine yogurt, cumin, remaining 1/2 cup onions, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper in small bowl. Stir to blend. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill burgers until cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium.
• Carefully open pita breads to make pockets; insert burger in each. Spoon in yogurt mixture and tomatoes, dividing equally, and serve.

TURKISH-STYLE LAMB BURGERS WITH WALNUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak bulgur for burgers:
• Pour boiling-hot water over bulgur with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and soak 15 minutes, then drain in a sieve.
• Make sauce while bulgur soaks:
• Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt (1/8 teaspoon) using a large heavy knife, then transfer to a food processor and blend with remaining sauce ingredients until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
• Prepare burgers:
• Preheat broiler.
• Pulse onion and herbs in cleaned processor until finely chopped, then transfer to a bowl and stir in bulgur, lamb, paprika, allspice, pepper, cayenne, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until just combined. Form lamb mixture into 4 patties (4 inches in diameter).
• Broil pitas and burgers:
• Arrange pitas on a baking sheet. Brush with oil, then lightly dust with paprika and season with pepper. Broil on lowest rack until toasted, 1 to 3 minutes (watch to prevent burning). Keep pitas warm, loosely covered with foil, while broiling burgers.
• Oil rack of a broiler pan and heat 4 inches from heat until hot, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Broil burgers, turning over once, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes total. Serve burgers on pitas, topped with sauce.

TURKISH LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. Put the ground lamb into a bowl with the remaining ingredients and mix well. Shape into 4 patties.
• 2. Put under the broiler, 4 inches from the heat, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until browned and firm.
• 3. Serve in pita bread with yogurt, mint, and cu­cumber slices.