Crave Wednesday: Lamb and Turkey Pita Burgers

I think this was our most laid back Valentine's Day to date.  In part, because it was on a Sunday.  And really, all holidays should be on a weekend. 

Which didn't mean we got to sleep in.  Because sleeping in on the weekends went out the door sometime in 2012.  Instead, I got up early and made pancakes with Thatkid.

He specifically requested heart-shaped pancakes for Valentine's Day.  I added the sprinkles for a little fun.  Just in case heart pancakes weren't fun enough.

We spent the rest of the day at home, just hanging out and playing the backyard.  Picking oranges and spending time as a family.

For dinner, we brought in sushi, so Thatbaby had his first taste of sushi!

We followed that with a special Valentine's Day treat Thatboy had brought home for us.

After the boys went to bed, Thatboy and I headed back to the backyard, but this time with a bottle of wine.  We sat and drank and watched the stars as we talked about our past and our future.

There were no grand romantic gestures.  No ditching the kids for a night out.  We spent it together, as a family.  But a family with good food.  Because food is a great way to show how much you love someone.

Like these lamb and turkey pita burgers.  Lamb is Thatboy's favorite meats.  Whenever I make it, I make it for him. The boys don't seem to mind it either.  This is a first for me, combining the lamb and turkey.  But it won't be the last.  I loved the way they interacted.  The lamb can be a little rich, bit not cut with the turkey.  And turkey can get a little dry, but not mixed with lamb.  They complement each other perfectly.

Lamb and Turkey Pita Burgers  (From Cooking Light)

1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp ground red pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground ginger

8oz lean ground lamb

8oz ground turkey breast

cooking spray

12 small lettuce leaves

6 pitas, cut in half

1. Prepare sauce by combining first 4 ingredients; cover and chill.
2. To prepare burgers, combine the onion and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl.  Divide mixture into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2 inch thick patty.
3. Heat a large grill pan over medium high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add patties to pan; cook 5 minutes on eahc side or until well marked and done.
4. Arrange 1 lettuce leaf, 1 patty, and about 1 1/2 tsps sauce in each pita half.