Turkish-Style Lamb Burgers with Walnut Sauce

Ingredients

• •1 cup boiling-hot water
• •⅓ cup bulgur
• •¾ teaspoon salt
• •1 medium onion
• •¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
• •¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• •1 lb ground lamb
• •½ teaspoon paprika
• •¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• •¼ teaspoon black pepper
• •¼ teaspoon cayenne
• •1 small garlic clove
• •⅛ teaspoon salt
• •½ cup walnuts
• •¼ cup water
• •1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• •⅛ teaspoon cayenne
• •4 pieces pita loaves
• •1 tablespoon olive oil
• •1 pinch paprika
• •1 garnish fresh cilantro sprigs

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Pour boiling-hot water over bulgur with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and soak 15 minutes, then drain in a sieve.

   15 min

2. 2.

   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.

   5 min

3. 3.

   Preheat broiler.

   5 min

4. 4.

   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).

   10 min

5. 5.

   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.

   3 min

6. 6.

   Oil rack of a broiler pan and heat 4 inches from heat until hot, 3 to 5 minutes.

   5 min

7. 7.

   Broil burgers, turning over once, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes total. Serve burgers on pitas, topped with sauce.

   7 min