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Gyros - A Greek Classic

By Kevin D. Weeks., About.com

Gyro with Sangria

Gyro with Sangria

Kevin D Weeks

Some 30 years ago I stepped into a taverna in Athens, Greece and was captivated by a vertical spit of meat rotating slowly in front of a multiple-level charcoal brasier. I watched as the fellow behind the counter sliced off pieces of meat, piled it on a round of flat bread, then slathered it with some kind of sauce, some tomato, chopped onion, and rolled it up. This I had to try, and so I had my first gyro along with a tumbler of retsina (the resin-flavored Greek wine). It was a major culinary event in my life, and I immediately ordered a second one. (Larger image.) Makes 4.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • *** Meat Mixture ***
  • 1 lb. ground lamb
  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • *** Tzatziki ***
  • 1 cup Greek-style yogurt (or regular yogurt, see below)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 8-inch cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • *** Sandwich ***
  • 4 rounds of flat bread or pita.
  • lettuce
  • tomato, chopped

Preparation:

Tzatziki
1. If you can't find Greek yogurt, use ordinary yogurt but remove excess liquid from it by dumping it in a sieve lined with cheesecloth and letting it drain over a bowl for 4 hours.

2. Add remaining tzatziki ingredients, mix, and chill for an hour or so.

Meat mixture
3. Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a bowl.

4. Divide into four equal portions and shape into oblong patties about 3" wide, 6" long, 1/2" thick. Refrigerate for an hour.

Sandwich
5. Grill patties over a hot fire for 3 - 4 minutes per side.

6. Spread tzatziki sauce down the center of a flat bread round, add a lettuce leaf, add some diced tomato. Add the patty, fold the bread over the lamb, and enjoy.

Note: wrapping in foil helps hold things togetherwhile you eat it.

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