Gyros...A lot easier to make at home than trying to find a Greek restaurant!!

My mother-in-law, father-in-law and I stopped at a little snack shop one day while I was pregnant and tried a Gyro for the first time.  Let me tell you, I was in loooooooove.  I haven't had one since...it's been a long two years....but I finally found a recipe that sounded easy enough to do myself.  The recipe I found was from Alton Brown on Food Network, and the recipe for the Tzatziki Sauce to go with it I found on my web-friend's blog The Frugal Gourmom.  I changed both recipes around a little to make them quicker and easier...to fit into my time limits...plus things I could actually afford to buy!!! (Ever notice how Food Network stars expect us to be as rich as they are?!?!?)  So, here are my "adapted" versions of the recipes...

YOU WILL NEED:

GYRO

1 lb ground veal
1 lb ground turkey
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp rosemary 
1/2 small onion
1 large clove garlic
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 package pita pockets
shredded lettuce, for topping
chopped tomatoes, for topping
sliced onion, for topping


SAUCE:
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cucumber
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder


*MAKE YOUR SAUCE FIRST!!!! This the flavors all have time to meld together, so it's even better if you make it in the morning, or best yet, the night before!
*Grate your half cucumber and sandwich between layers of paper towels.  Press down, and keep replacing paper towels until the cucumber is as dry as you can get it!

*Combine ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready :)

*For your sandwiches, chop the onion as fine as you can, then press between paper towels to get out as much of the water as possible (I never knew onions had so much water in them until today!) Mince the garlic and rosemary.

*Combine veal, turkey, onions, rosemary, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and mix together with your hands until all is combined evenly.  The meat will be really sticky!  I was kind of weirded out by the texture at first, but it gets better after it cooks!!

*Spray a skillet and get HOT HOT HOT!!!  Pat meat out to the size of your pitas, but get it as thin as you possibly can.  Drop into the hot skillet and let get very brown on each side, then flip.  This recipe will make about 12-16 pita-sized patties.

*Split open your pitas, spread in some of the Tzatziki Sauce, then put in your patty.  Add lettuce, onions and tomatoes.  I also liked a little extra sauce to dip my sandwich in.