Burgers With Turmeric and Tahini

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (1 kg) ground beef or lamb, or a combination
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• ½ cup (125 mL) whole wheat or regular bread crumbs
• 2 tsp (10 mL) ground cumin
• 2 tsp (10 mL) turmeric
• 2 tsp (10 mL) salt
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) tahini paste (made from ground sesame seeds)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• ¼ tsp (2 mL) ground cumin
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) hot sauce, optional
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) water, or more, if necessary
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
• ½ cucumber, halved, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 4 6-in. (15-cm) pita breads, halved to yield “pockets” (or 8 smaller pitas)