Gyro recipe
From the Kitchen of Char, MS
I purchase our Gyro meat from the freezer
section of a Mediteranean market. It
comes sliced and cooked. You heat these
slices up on a hot griddle that is NOT
greased. Heat on both sides for a few
minutes. Until lightly browned edges
occur. Gyro meat is traditionally
lamb...but many times is mixed lamb
and beef.
Purchase whole pita bread. Heat these
on the same griddle for a few minutes
to warm through and they become more
"pliable".
Dice tomatoes, put aside.
De-seed 1/2 cucumber and dice. Put aside.
Now here's the key ingredients to make the
traditional yogurt sauce:
Mint, Basil, Onions, Tarragon, Garlic,
Black Pepper, Rose Buds.
Now...we can make this by doing a pinch
of this and a pinch of that and blending
well. The order of this is important as
to the amounts. The first ingredients is
used most and the last is used least. I
don't measure...sorry.
OR
The easy way out? Purchase a yogurt dip
mix seasoning called Sadaf from the
Mediteranean Market. (again I cheat MOST
times) If sadaf is not available, look
for the English words Yogurt Dip Mix
Seasoning on packets. They usually
translate it for us.
Add 1 Tbs. of this seasoning mix to
an 8 oz container of yogurt. Add your
1/2 diced, de-seeded cucumber.
Blend well and refrigerate to allow
the flavors to blend together.
You can marinate thinly sliced onions
in some oil with a little of this
seasoning. I steam the sliced onions a few
minutes, then drain excess liquid, add
to oil & seasoning. Now...my family
prefers no onions so I usually omit
this step.
To put together:
Add some hot gyro meat to the warmed
pita bread. Add diced tomatoes. Onions,
if desired. Add about 2 Tbs yogurt sauce
(my DD likes lots more as it IS so good!)
Wrap up and eat!
This does not require lots of meat...
just enough to fill the pita in one
layer. A box of meat lasts us quite
a few meals. I think I get about 12
gyros per box.
NOW: IF YOU WANT TO TOTALLY CHEAT----
Casbah makes Gyro box meal. You can
add ground beef or lamb or whatever
you want to use. this isn't bad. It's
cheap and easy. BUT... to me it isn't
traditional enough. Though I have
used it in the past. You can purchase
this at a good grocery store, health
food store or specialty markets.
Well, now I need to make a Mediteranean
Market list! I am totally out of Gyro
meat again. My DD absolutely loves them
and when we go to the market we get a
"cool" treat. Always a weird drink to
try and a dessert or candy we've never
had.
