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

Serves 4

• 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

1. For the raita, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. 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.