Pita Burgers with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

Pita bread makes the perfect container for almost any hand-held food including traditional hamburgers. A tangy and refreshing yogurt sauce completes this Greek-inspired meal.

Recipe Ingredients:

Pepper-Herb Mix:
2 tablespoons dried basil leaves
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried savory leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage

Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce:
1/3 cup chopped unpeeled cucumber
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 teaspoons Pepper-Herb Mix
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 pita breads, halved
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 thin slices

1 pound lean ground beef

Cooking Directions:

1. For Pepper-Herb Mix: Combine all ingredients. Store, covered, in an airtight container. Shake before using to re-blend spices.
2. For Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce: Combine cucumber, yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon of the herb mix and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions; shape into patties 4 inches in diameter. Sprinkle remaining 1½ teaspoons herb mix over both sides of patties.
4. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Pan-broil patties 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Season with salt, if desired.
5. Heat pita halves in toaster until lightly toasted. Place a beef patty in each pita half; add 2 tomato slices. Add cucumber sauce to serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the Beef Industry Council.