Gyros, Tzatziki and Oven Fries
Gyro, Tzatziki and Oven Fries Dish Guide
For The Gyro Meat
1 LB ground lamb (or beef)
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Handful of minced fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1 t garlic powder
1.5 t onion powder
1 t dry thyme leaves
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1.5 t smoked paprika (regular paprika is ok)
Mix the lamb or beef with half the minced parsley and the dried herbs and spices (including salt and pepper) and olive oil. Using your hands, mix these ingredients until well combined. Leave to let the spices marinate in the meat for half an hour up to overnight in the fridge. Form into thin oval or oblong patties (think about a good size to fit in a pita). You should get 4 out of 1 lb of meat. Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, flip and cook 5-7 minutes more until 165 degrees internally. Remove to a plate to drain and rest.
For the Tzatziki
10oz plain Greek yogurt (two single serve packs worth)
1 T minced dill
1 garlic clove crushed or finely minced
1-2 t white vinegar
Zest of half a lemon
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Roughly 1/3 of a hothouse cucumber
Add yogurt, crushed garlic, vinegar, lemon zest, salt/pepper, dill and olive oil to a bowl. Using a box grater, grate the cucumber into fine shreds and place in a paper towel. Using the paper towel, squeeze as much moisture and liquid as you can out of the cucumber and then add it to the bowl. Stir to combine.
For the Oven Fries
2 medium russets
2 T olive oil
½ T garlic powder
1 T smoked or plain paprika
Slice russets into wedges or large square fries about an ¾ inch to an inch in thickness. If you cut them too small they will burn and overcook. Add to a bowl and add olive oil, salt/pepper and paprika and garlic powder. Toss well to combine. Lay in a single layer on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees. Flip all fries and bake another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and tender.
To Serve
Warm a pita and add a bed of shredded lettuce and top with one of your meat patties. Add sliced tomato and red onion and tzatziki if desired. Garnish with some of the remaining minced parsley. Wrap up in foil and serve.
Dish Notes
If you use ground beef, look for 80/20 as lean ground beef isn’t the right application here. The oil added to the meat isn’t because we need more fat but it helps the spices mix more homogeneously throughout the meat. I find putting the oven fries towards the top or bottom of the oven helps achieve the best browning. Make sure the use plenty of oil for the oven fries as that’s the key of getting them slightly crispy and brown … they have to fry lightly in the oven. For the tzatziki you can make it with lemon juice/zest only or with vinegar only. I enjoy the tang of the vinegar and the lighter fruity punch the lemon zest provides so I use both. Out of pita bread? Form the meat into round patties and serve this on a bun like a good-old American hamburger topped with the lettuce tomatoes onion and tzatziki and maybe even a crumble of fresh feta.
