Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Back to healthy eating
--Beef Steak Gyros



Beef Steak Gyros
The Healthy Beef Cookbook Copyright 2006

Yogurt Sauce:
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
¼ cup diced cucumber
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon minced garlic I used dried - I didn't want the garlic to burn
2 beef shoulder center steaks, cut ¾ inch thick (about 8 ounces each) I used flank steak
Salt and pepper, as desired
4 whole wheat pita breads, cut crosswise in half I used whole grain pitas with flax and honey
4 tomato slices
4 onion slices

1. Combine Yogurt Sauce ingredients in small bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Combine oregano and garlic; press evenly onto beef steaks. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook 9 to 12 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning twice.
3. Carve steaks into thin slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Fill pita pockets with equal amounts of steak, tomatoes, and onions. Drizzle with sauce.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 251 cal, 6g fat, 58mg chol, 537mg sodium, 21g carbs, 2.4g fiber, 28g protein
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Okay, this was not an authentic gyros recipe but it did utilize the same flavors and I enjoyed it. I wanted to use the Greek yogurt that I picked up recently. I can actually get Greek yogurt locally now - our Wal-Mart is carrying it - Oikos Organic. It wasn't as good as the Fage Greek yogurt I've tasted but the Fage I tasted wasn't fat-free, it was a low-fat variety. I can get Fage at one of the grocery stores in the nearest city but that isn't very convenient.

Of course, I missed having a big fluffy pita but I don't even know if I can get the big fluffy ones locally. These whole grain pita pockets made with flax and honey were very good but it's just not the same. I used to eat gyros when I lived in Philadelphia but I haven't had one (a real one) in many, many years.

Blast From The Past: Greek Beef & Rice from July 2006. Not an authentic Greek recipe, but delicious.

Question of the Day: Have you ever had a gyro? Do you like them?

6 comments:

Annie Jones said...

I make my own "fluffy" pitas, and I even posted the recipe yesterday.

I love gyros, but usually only manage to get a "real" one about once a year.

Randi said...

When I used to eat meat, I loved them!! Now I go for chicken souvlaki pita's which in my mind are pretty similar. I love the tzatziki sauce which I used to buy at costco but now make because its so easy and so good!!

Annie said...

That is one thing I have never tried. Although yours looks great!

DancesInGarden said...

LOVE them! I know what you mean about the fluffy pita. The thinner tougher ones just aren't the same. Sometimes I heat them briefly over steam and use the entire pita to roll the meat and veggies(instead of cutting into pockets and filling).

If you are only allowed half a pita for a serving, separate the two layers and use one whole layer to wrap/roll the filling.

Unknown said...

We have a great Greek gyro place near my house. Whenever my dad comes to town he want to eat there b/c he says there aren't any gryos like that anywhere else. There's another one on the other side of the interstate from me I need to try as well...in other words, YES! I like gyros, though I usually get the chicken or shrimp version. If they had just plain lamb, I'd do that, but the places I have do a mix beef/lamb.

Randi, chicken souvlaki is very good too!!!

I need to try to make the tzaziki sauce some time b/c it's SO good!

Anonymous said...

Love them. I've always had the ones with the fluffy pita bread that is rolled/wrapped. We get them at the Greek festivals and there are also Greek restaurants here.

Jan