Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground lamb

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, or 2 teaspoons dried mint

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Greek)

1 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea) or more to taste

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound goat cheese

For serving:

4 pita breads

4 rinsed romaine lettuce leaves

4 paper-thin slices red onion (optional)

1 medium-size cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

1 medium-size ripe tomato, thinly sliced

Yogurt Cucumber Sauce:

1 medium-size cucumber

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or more to taste

1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint, or 1 teaspoon dried mint

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Yogurt Cucumber Sauce:

Peel the cucumber and cut it in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds with a melon baller or spoon. Coarsely grate the cucumber.

Place the garlic and salt in a mixing bowl and mash to a paste with the back of a spoon. Stir in the grated cucumber, yogurt, olive oil, and mint. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt, if necessary, and pepper to taste. The sauce should be highly seasoned.