August 30, 2012

Homemade Gyros

I love Greece, and I love Greek food.
My family and I used to go to the islands every summer. We'd take a boat and find a private little cove for the day. With nothing but pebbles and crickets to keep us company, we'd read and snooze until the early afternoon when we'd sail off in search of lunch.
Most of the restaurants would have their own jettys, so I'd throw a waiter the rope, tie up and spend the rest of the afternoon under the vines drinking wine and gorging ourselves on tzatziki and feta.
During the day I'd always have zucchini, pasta, cheeses, dips and olives.
But once a holiday my mother would give in to my pleas and take me for Gyros.
Gyros (pronounced yee-rohs) are the ultimate street food. A flat bread packed to bursting with flavours, textures and that secret sauce everyone guards so seriously!
Next week my family are going to Greece without me, so I thought I'd make my own little slice of Greek heaven, and eat my weight in them while my mother's back is turned.



If, like me, you fancy licking tzatziki and crushed guacamole off your lips with a guilty grin, you'll need:

2 free-range chicken breasts, cut into strips,
1 ripe avocado, 
1 tomato, 
2 flat breads, 
1/2 red onion, 
2 tbsp malt vinegar, 
2tbsp mayonaise, 
2tsp harissa paste, 
1tsp honey, 
1 lime, 
Tabasco, 
Olive oil, 
Salt, 
Pepper,
Tzatziki (recipe from scratch here or store bought - I wont tell anyone),
Tin foil.

Start by chopping your red onion as finely as possible and pop it into a little Tupperwear pot with your vinegar. Put the lid on and shake it like a Poloroid picture. Pop this in the fridge to mingle. (The longer the better.)
Now, toss your chicken breasts in olive oil, salt & pepper. Add to a hot griddle pan and cook until brown and delicious. 
While it's cooking, slice your avocado & tomato and place to one side. 
Make your Tzatziki (or open the pot you naughty little cheater). 
Make your 'secret sauce' from your mayonaise, harissa paste, honey, the juice of one lime and tabasco to taste. 
If your chicken is cooked by now, take it off the heat and place to one side. 
Pop your flat breads under a hot grill for about a min each side. 
Now, lay out a piece of foil and assemble your masterpiece. 






I like heat so always add a little extra tabasco.


Wrap it all up using the foil, going at a slight angle like a florist would.


Place to one side.


And repeat.


Sit back with a cold glass of wine or a really cold coke (if we're being trashy we may as well go all out) and pretend you're sitting right here:


If you're serving them for dinner you'll probably want fries, but I think a well stuffed "yeeroh" is more than enough for lunch.
Kalí óreksi! (bon appétit!)


.




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60 comments:

  1. looks so good! will be trying it soon thanks for sharing rose xxx

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  2. These look simply amazing, making my tummy rumble! Bea x

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  3. Anita15:30

    My mouth is watering (despite being so stuffed after the biggest lunch ever!!!) Can't wait to make these!

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  4. scrummy. Would love this. I love greek food, so any time you want to show how to make an easy and tasty moussaka, be my guest!

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  5. Yum. Just yum.
    Love a blast of heat so will definitely be adding tabasco.

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  6. ... and Greece loves you! I'm Greek and this is quite an interesting alteration to the recipe - I've never had Gyro with avocado or tabasco... the classic is tomato, chips, onion and tzatziki - but I'll have to try it some time.
    It's so funny that you say you'd have to sneakily eat this so that your mother didn't see - I personally have it for at least 3 dinners a week during the summer (not very anti-diet behaviour of me)... although it's not unhealthy - it has a bit of everything...
    Anyway I don't know why I'm going on - it's lovely to see my homeland inspire the Londoner like she inspires us! x

    PS, this isn't actually called gyros.. it's called pita... the meat itself in the way that it's cooked is called gyros

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    Replies
    1. Hi M!! Fellow Greek here.
      I love it when Rose mentions Greece, she always talks in such a positive way about our country, it's so nice to here nice words (especially in our days!).
      Mia pita gyro ap' ola, hahaha!!!

      Delete
  7. Rose, I love your recipes, if you ever had a cookery book released I would buy it. For now I'll continue to print and stick my favourites... I came home last weekend to find my mother making your avocado pasta recipe, she'd found my print out of it lying around!

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  8. They look delicious!!

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  9. This sounds delicious! I need to try the sauce, and preferably go back to Greece.

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  10. Anonymous16:20

    WHERE did you get those flatbreads? I'm Armenian, and those are like holy grail! Hard to find in the UK. x

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous22:03

      +1 I really don't know where to get decent flat breads

      Delete
  11. welp, i loved your idea for zuchinni fritters, so i'm positive this will be served up in my house very soon and it will be equally delicious.

    you know, i've never even looked for harissa paste before - is it hard to find in ordinary grocery stores?



    xo
    Nicole
    www.hourglassandbloom.wordpress.com

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  12. UGGHHHHHH - all I'm saying.

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  13. OMG these look AMAZING!!!!!! I love gyros and had no idea they were pronounced like that (why hasn't anyone ever corrected me!?).

    AWESOME recipe!

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  14. Gems16:52

    Oh Rose....someone please get this girl a column, book deal and show..... amazing once again :)

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  15. Why has nobody invented a way of letting the food in the picture jump out of the screen and into your tummy? URGH. It looks divine, truly.

    Lucy xxx

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:20

      Pretty sure that if this technology existed it's most common use would not be for pictures of food

      Delete
    2. Anonymous08:15

      LOL

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:36

      Pretty sure it would.
      Like on Willie Wonka where he says it would end starvation. Easy access.

      Delete
  16. Where was the picture taken? The water is amazing!

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  17. I can't wait to try these! They seem like a much better alternative to the falafel sandwiches we have in New York.


    www.readgeetikasblog.blogspot.com

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  18. Okay, so I've bookmarked this to add the stuff to my shopping list when I get to LA. A lunch I can eat while walking to class maybe? x

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  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. These look absolutely devine! If my mother were here she'd smack her lips! I think I know what I'm making this weekend. Just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on making my blog a bit more popular so I can be a brilliant as Rose?

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  21. I loooove gyros! Being part Greek and being around the food my entire life, it makes me cringe when I hear anyone call them "j-eye-rows". Excellent recipe :)

    Heather
    maybecommon.blogspot.com

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  22. you're such a brilliant writer/photographer/foodie.....I'm literally laughing out loud whilst reading (and dribbling) yum. Dinner sorted for tomorrow!! thank you! xxxx

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  23. I will DEFINITELY be making these very very soon - they look absolutely delicious!

    And this has spurred me on even more to try and get my next holiday booked - Greece is top of the list, and I need to get it sorted!

    Love your blog, always excited to see a new post!

    xxx

    jesuis-hannah.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. These look amazing, I'm going to have to try them! Are they part of the 80% or the 20%? :) And, where is that last photo taken? I need to know so I can google it and fantasise that I'm going on holiday there, when in reality I'm stuck in my flat doing uni work.

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  25. Rose, these look so yummy! Please share what sort of flatbread you're using!
    I make similar Mexican inspired wraps with refried beans and avocado (looove avocados!): http://food-unplugged.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mexican-chicken-wraps.html

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  26. Anonymous23:25

    I just got back from a trip to Greece myself, and I have to say my favourite thing there was the food! Unlike you, I went with friends so I was able to have gyros nearly every day! (and pretend to my mother back home that I was eating healthily).
    Since returning home and having to go back to reality, I'd been wanting to prepare a big Greek feast bring back all our memories - what great timing for you to post this recipe!
    Thanks Rose :)
    Emma

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  27. I'm so jealous of your childhood, Rose! It sounds so fun

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  28. Looks amazing!

    Val
    http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/

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  29. I am so jealous of your childhood, Rose! It sounded so fun :D

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  30. You just made me drawl...

    Yum! That looks incredible. Desperately want to go to the Greek Islands!

    x Olivia
    www.theblackpeony.com

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  31. I am curious as to why you chose chicken over lamb? I always thought Gyros were only made with lamb. (Greek food newb here)

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  32. hrmmm how many of these can you eat while sticking to your eating guidelines? (full-ness etc.)

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  33. Sara06:33

    Hello Rose, hello Rose's readers,
    I have a question: in this busy, overstimulating world, how do you center yourself to concentrate? I used to be an intelligent and very interested child, but I have the feeling that I get duller and more ignorant with the years. I have completed university several years ago and am working now in a demanding and prestigious job (according to most people), but I don't find it interesting. I do not have real hobbies either, partially because of my working hours, partially because I have not found anything that captures my interest.
    I have thought about changing jobs (already in uni), but I just cannot (and could not) figure out what else I could do.
    I am afraid that all that little creativity and intrest that I have, gets sucked out of me by my work and this leaves me empty. And boring.
    Would be nice to hear your guys' thoughts, but I realized this is probably not the right place.
    Rose, thank you so much for sharing your inspirational life with us! Since I have found your blog, I am hooked to it, something that literally never happened to me before. It would mean a lot to me, if you shared your thoughts with me (us).
    xo Sara

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:32

      Start a blog like Rose did! You'll force yourself to be creative - come up with new home decor ideas, try new recipes, new restaurants, new fashion trends, etc. and blog about all of them! When you commit to doing something online like that, it pushes you to stay creative in order to keep coming up with new things to blog about.

      Delete
    2. Sara23:41

      Thanks Anon!
      I don't think that is right for me somehow.
      Rose, too bad you didn't let me know what you think :-(
      But I guess you are busy.
      Enjoy your life!

      Delete
  34. After reading this yesterday, I went to the supermarket on the way home from work, got all the bits I needed and made them last night! SO DAMN GOOD! Thanks so much for the recipe, we'll definitely be making them again... only issue was the flat breads I got were smaller so couldn't roll in foil... ended up having to use a knife & fork so I didn't get any more sauce over my face & top :) x

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  35. GemmaB13:13

    I have just demolished one of these for much lunch today, and oh my gosh!! It was absolutely devine, best packed lunch EVERRRR! I didn't have any harrissa paste OR tabasco (d'oh!), so I improvised with tomato puree and some sort of chilli dipping sauce (not sweet)....still tasted yummy!

    I'm also going to try out your roast chicken recipe this weekend, will let you know how that goes :)

    Thanks for sharing x

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  36. Anonymous00:58

    Hi Rose! What Greek islands did you visit? And which are your favourite ones? Tnx Alessandra

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  37. aww I love gryos! They're the best thing to tuck into after a busy day sunbathing.. you're making me gutted that I'll not be going to Greece this summer.. I'm the same, the rents have been taking me and my little brothers to the Greek Islands since i was 18months! xx

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  38. Will be heading the supermarket today to get ingredients for this! Been searching for the perfect recipe for ages now, and yours seem IDEAL!

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  39. I didn't know what this was called, but it was the only "kebab" I had ever had when I bought one from a street food vendor in Greece when I was 17. I came back to England thinking that all kebabs were like this... I was pretty distraught the next (and last time) I ordered one here. Recipe sounds great, I'mma give it a go! Emma Louiselayla Xx

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  40. Ahh Rose! Once again you tempt me with such delicious recipes! I'm making this for my man tonight. Simple, colourful, beautiful, comforting food. Thanks! ^_^

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  41. Ok missy, next time gyros and baklava is one me...
    xo

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  42. Maybe off topic, but how did you get the picture icons on the right for links to other blogs? I can't seem to figure it out.

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  43. want to make one now...

    ♥ ThankFifi

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  44. Hello from your Greek follower! Yes, my country love food, loves gyros and tzatziki, loves the islands...

    Thank you for mentioning it!
    xxx
    www.the-red-studio.blogspot.com

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  45. Anonymous18:32

    20%bad or 80%good?

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  46. Jasmin13:22

    Prepared an entire birthday dinner with your recipes (courgette fritters, Gyros and honey roasted peaches) and it was AMAZING!! great recipes and so easy to make!! certainly going to cook my way through all of them!!
    thanks and bring on more =)
    greetings from Italy!

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  47. Anonymous12:25

    mmm! was wondering if you would ever do a 'proper burrito' recipe sometime?
    My homemade ones always taste funny...

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  48. Thanks for another great recipe Rose
    I made this last night and it was so summery and fresh and generally awesome!!!
    http://lalangostaymi.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/gyros.html
    x x x

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  49. Anonymous22:37

    what do you do with the onions in the vinegar..

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  50. Anonymous01:26

    just made this with mediterranean style potatoes and your courgette fritters for a greek meal!
    absolutely delicious

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  51. This is so wired for a feeling... I think that pic was taken where i come from... ok ok too many island but it looks waaayyyy too familiar.... how cooool???
    ps gyros??? yummmm i like this modern healthy version!!!!!!

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  52. Anonymous16:30

    I'm from Greece and I love gyros! I will definitely try this recipe at some point, looks yummy! I might add tzatziki as well! Rose, please give us your own version of a mousaka dish! Love your blog xx

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