Active Time

　　25 min

　　Total Time

　　45 min

　　

Ingredients

4 servings

　　

For burgers

1 cup boiling-hot water

　　1/3 cup bulgur

　　3/4 teaspoon salt

　　1 medium onion, quartered

　　1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

　　1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

　　1 lb ground lamb

　　1/2 teaspoon paprika (not hot)

　　1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

　　1/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　1/4 teaspoon cayenne

　　

For sauce

1 small garlic clove

　　1/8 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 cup walnuts (1 1/2 oz)

　　1/4 cup water

　　1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

　　1/8 teaspoon cayenne

　　

For pitas

4 (4-inch) pita loaves

　　1 tablespoon olive oil

　　Paprika (not hot) for dusting

　　Garnish: fresh cilantro sprigs

　　

Soak bulgur for burgers:

Step 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.

　　

Make sauce while bulgur soaks:

Step 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.

　　

Prepare burgers:

Step 3

Preheat broiler.

　　

Step 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).

　　

Broil pitas and burgers:

Step 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.

　　

Step 6

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

　　

Step 7

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