America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo
The following text field filters the results that follow as you type.
no results available

Lamb Pita Sandwiches for Two

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Yield

Serves 2

Lamb Pita Sandwiches for Two

Ingredients

Lamb Patties

2 rounds (8-inch) pita bread 1 ½ tablespoons plain yogurt ½ pound ground lamb 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves Salt ½ teaspoon cumin ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking patties

Yogurt Sauce

½ cup plain yogurt 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about ½ teaspoon)Salt Cayenne Fresh lime juice

1 ½ - 2 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce

Before You Begin

If you do not like cilantro, substitute fresh mint.

Instructions

  1. For the Lamb Patties: Cut 1/2-inch piece from top of each pita round. Chop these pita scraps finely, then mash them into yogurt and set aside to soften for 5 minutes. Mix lamb, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cumin, cayenne, and yogurt mixture together thoroughly with your hands. Form meat mixture into six 1 1/2- to 2-inch-wide patties. Place patties on plate and put plate in freezer until patties are firm, about 5 minutes.
  2. For Yogurt Sauce: Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cilantro, and garlic in small bowl and season with salt, cayenne, and lime juice to taste. Refrigerate until needed.
  3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add the patties and cook until well browned, about 2 minutes. Flip patties over, reduce heat to medium, and continue to cook until well browned on second side, about 6 minutes. Transfer patties to paper-towel-lined plate and let drain for several minutes.
  4. Nestle 3 patties into each pita round with some of lettuce and spoonful of yogurt sauce. Serve, passing remaining yogurt sauce separately.
Lamb Pita Sandwiches for Two

Lamb Pita Sandwiches for Two

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
5(3)
Save
Saved

Yield

Serves 2

Ingredients

Ingredient check listLamb Patties
Ingredient check listYogurt Sauce
Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check listLamb Patties
Ingredient check listYogurt Sauce
Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check listLamb Patties
Ingredient check listYogurt Sauce
Ingredient check list

Why This Recipe Works

For a lamb sandwich recipe that would echo the flavors of Greek gyros, we pan-fried ground lamb patties flavored with cilantro, cumin, and cayenne. To make the patties juicier, we added a panade (a paste of fresh bread crumbs and milk), substituting pita crumbs for bread crumbs and yogurt for milk.

Before You Begin

If you do not like cilantro, substitute fresh mint.

Instructions

  1. For the Lamb Patties: Cut 1/2-inch piece from top of each pita round. Chop these pita scraps finely, then mash them into yogurt and set aside to soften for 5 minutes. Mix lamb, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cumin, cayenne, and yogurt mixture together thoroughly with your hands. Form meat mixture into six 1 1/2- to 2-inch-wide patties. Place patties on plate and put plate in freezer until patties are firm, about 5 minutes.
  2. For Yogurt Sauce: Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cilantro, and garlic in small bowl and season with salt, cayenne, and lime juice to taste. Refrigerate until needed.
  3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add the patties and cook until well browned, about 2 minutes. Flip patties over, reduce heat to medium, and continue to cook until well browned on second side, about 6 minutes. Transfer patties to paper-towel-lined plate and let drain for several minutes.
  4. Nestle 3 patties into each pita round with some of lettuce and spoonful of yogurt sauce. Serve, passing remaining yogurt sauce separately.

More Like This

Equipment

Adjustable Measuring Cups

Equipment

The Best Measuring Spoons

How To

How to Substitute Cultured Dairy Products

Keep Exploring

LambSandwichesMain CoursesFor Two
This is a members' feature.