Spicy Lamb Burgers with Cucumber Raita

Serves 4

Raita, a cool cucumber and yogurt sauce, makes an ideal complement to warmly spiced lamb burgers.

Ingredients

Cucumber Raita
1 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

Spicy Lamb Burgers
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cayenne pepper to taste
1 pound lean ground lamb
4 leaves romaine lettuce
2 whole wheat pitas, halved

Method

For the raita, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.

For the burgers, preheat grill to medium high heat. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and shape into four patties. Grill burgers, flipping once, until meat reaches desired degree of doneness (3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare, 5 minutes per side for medium and 6 to 7 minutes per side for well done). Tuck lettuce and lamb burgers into pita pockets and top each with a generous spoonful of raita; serve remaining raita on the side.

Nutrition

Per serving lamb burger: 340 calories (160 from fat), 18g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 85mg cholesterol, 530mg sodium, 19g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 1g sugar), 25g protein Per serving cucumber raita (about 3oz/91g-wt.): 45 calories (10 from fat), 1g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 6g total carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 3g protein

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1668