Gyros

I can provide you with the recipe for Greek-style Gyros with an Italian twist. Gyros is a typical dish of Greek cuisine, similar to kebab, consisting of roasted meat served on pita with tzatziki sauce, vegetables, and sometimes French fries. To give the dish an Italian touch, we could add some aromatic herbs typical of Mediterranean cuisine or accompany the Gyros with a side of Italian-style grilled vegetables.

Ingredients for the Gyros:

• 500 g of lamb or chicken meat, cut into thin strips
• 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• The juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Greek pita or pita bread

Ingredients for the Tzatziki sauce:

• 200 g of Greek yogurt
• 1 small cucumber, grated and drained of its liquid
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the side/topping:

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• A handful of lettuce leaves, roughly chopped
• Black olives (optional)

Preparation

1. In a bowl, combine the oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to obtain a homogeneous marinade.

2. Add the meat to the marinade, making sure each piece is well coated. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours, or better yet, overnight.

3. Prepare the tzatziki by combining the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, oil, and vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Heat a pan or grill over medium-high heat. Cook the meat until it is well browned and cooked to your liking.

5. Warm the pitas in a non-stick pan until lightly toasted.

6. Fill the gyro by placing the cooked meat on the pita base, and add the onion, tomatoes, lettuce, olives (if desired), and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.

7. Serve immediately, optionally accompanied by a side of grilled vegetables dressed with oil, salt, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar to stay on theme with Italian flavors.

Trivia

Gyros is a popular fast street food in Greece, named after the method of cooking the meat that rotates on itself (gyros in Greek means “to turn”). Originally made with pork or lamb, the chicken version is also common today.