For a taste of the Mediterranean Greek region, make gyro plates with layers of thinly sliced meat, a creamy yogurt sauce and a variety of side items. A gyro plate is similar to a gyro sandwich. Rather than having everything wrapped up in a piece of pita bread, a diner eats the meal with a fork. A gyro is traditionally made by slicing off thin layers of meat that has been broiled on a large spit, but you can adapt the recipe for home use in smaller portions. The spices and accompanying sides help the meal retain its characteristic Greek flavor.
Instructions
1. Put 1/2 cup minced onion, 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground lamb, 1/2 tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 tbsp dried marjoram, 1/2 tbsp dried ground rosemary, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into a food processor. Turn it on for about one minute, or until the ingredients have formed a paste.
2. Turn the meat paste out into a greased loaf pan and spread it so the top is flat.
3. Bake the meatloaf at 325 F for approximately 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 170 F.
4. Drain the fat off the top of the meatloaf and set it on a rack to cool. Cover the top surface with foil and set a brick or other weight on it to press down the loaf.
5. Mix together 1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt, 1/2 chopped cucumber, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp red wine vinegar and three mint leaves in a bowl. This side dish is called tzatziki sauce.
6. Turn the meatloaf out onto a cutting board. Slice it as thin as possible with a sharp knife. Arrange the slices on four plates.
7. Cut the two rounds of pita bread into wedges and set the wedges on the plates next to the meat.
8. Spoon about 1/3 cup tzatziki sauce over the meat on each plate. If desired, you can put this just to the side of the meat instead.
9. Arrange 1 cup rice pilaf, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, 1/4 cup hummus, 1 oz. crumbled feta cheese and a few Greek olives on the remaining space on each plate.
Tags: each plate, garlic tbsp, minced garlic, minced garlic tbsp, pita bread, tbsp dried
