Recipe: Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce (food processor)

GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

1 lb ground lamb
1 lb ground beef
1 cup finely shredded onion, squeezed
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 tablespoon rosemary
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 pitas
3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into medium dice
1-1/2 cups Tzatziki Sauce (recipe follows)

Combine the lamb, beef, onion, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt and pepper and stir until the meats and seasonings are evenly blended. Cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least 2 hours. Chill the bowl and blade of a food processor in the freezer at the same time you are chilling the meat.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly oil a baking pan. (If you prefer, you can prepare the gyro meat on a rotisserie. Preheat the grill to medium-high and assemble the rotisserie.)

Transfer the meat mixture to the chilled food processor bowl and process until a sticky paste forms, about 2 minutes. (Author's note: This task is easier if you split the meat in half.) Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking pan, shaping it with dampened hands into a loaf about 1-1/2 inches thick and 8 inches long. It should not touch the sides of the pan. (If preparing the meat on a rotisserie, pack it around the round in a cylinder.) Cook the meat until it is completely cooked through (an internal temperature of 150 degrees F), about 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool the meat to room temperature, remove from the loaf pan and wrap well. Chill the meat in the refrigerator for at least 8 and up to 12 hours prior to slicing thinly.

Heat a gribble or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pitas one at a time and griddle until toasted and very pliable; set aside.

Add the sliced gyro meat to the griddle and cook until hot and lightly colored, about 2 minutes.

Fill each pita with the sliced gyro meat and top with lettuce, tomatoes and onion. Wrap the sandwich in paper and use a toothpick to hold the sandwich closed. Serve with the tzatziki sauce.

TZATZIKI SAUCE

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
1 teaspoon lemon juice or as needed
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Salt as needed
Freshly ground pepper as needed

Combine the yogurt, sour cream, cucumber and garlic in a food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the olive oil, dill, lemon juice and zest. Stir until combined and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Source: Food Made Fast