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Gyros are a Greek dish that combines meat, vegetables, and sauces in a warm pita. While the type of cheese used in gyros is a matter of personal preference, feta cheese is commonly used. This salty and tangy cheese complements the other flavours in a gyro, such as the garlicky tzatziki sauce, juicy tomatoes, and sweet onions.
What You'll Learn
Feta cheese
Feta is a great addition to a gyro, as it is a robust cheese that can stand up to the other strong flavours in the sandwich. The salty, tangy flavour of feta works well with the other classic gyro ingredients, such as lamb, beef, onion, garlic, tzatziki, and other fresh vegetables.
When adding feta to a gyro, it is best to crumble the cheese and sprinkle it over the other ingredients. This ensures the cheese is well distributed throughout the sandwich and provides a good texture.
Feta is an excellent choice for a gyro as it adds a unique flavour and is an authentic Greek ingredient. Its salty, tangy taste complements the other classic gyro fillings, creating a delicious and well-rounded sandwich.
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Mozzarella
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Slow roast lamb or chicken
- Tomato, sliced
- Onion, sliced or diced
- Tzatziki sauce
- Bread
Optional Ingredients:
- Kasseri cheese
- Roasted red peppers
- Kalamata olives
- French fries
- Lettuce
- Cucumber
Instructions:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Butter the outside of each slice of bread.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on the inside of one slice of bread.
- Top with roast lamb or chicken, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up.
- Grill the sandwich in the pan until golden brown and the cheese has melted, which should take about 2-4 minutes per side.
You can also add some fries to the sandwich for a classic Greek street food experience, or include roasted red peppers and kalamata olives for extra flavour.
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Kasseri
When melted, kasseri becomes soft and stringy, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches and similar dishes. It has a mild, slightly salty flavour that complements the other ingredients in a gyro grilled cheese sandwich without overpowering them.
If you are unable to find kasseri, mozzarella is a good substitute as it has a similar texture and flavour when melted.
In a gyro grilled cheese sandwich, the bread is buttered and filled with shredded kasseri, crumbled feta, roast lamb or chicken, tomato, onion, and tzatziki. The sandwich is then grilled until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. This combination of flavours and textures creates a delicious and indulgent sandwich that combines the best elements of a grilled cheese sandwich and a gyro.
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Tzatziki sauce
Gyros are a Greek dish that combines meat, vegetables, and sauces in a warm pita. While the meat is often lamb, it can also be a combination of lamb and beef, or chicken or pork. Gyros are topped with a Greek sauce called Tzatziki.
Tzatziki is a creamy sauce that is an essential condiment in a gyro. It is made with Greek yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, mint, and spices. The sauce is known for its refreshing and tangy flavour.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 clove of garlic, grated or minced
- 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 6-8 medium mint leaves, finely diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Peel the cucumber and slice it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove the seeds, then finely dice the cucumber. Place the diced cucumber in a tea towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, salt, mint, and any other spices or herbs you wish to add.
- Stir the mixture until well combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Tzatziki sauce until it is ready to be used. The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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Grilled chicken
When preparing the chicken, it is recommended to slice thicker chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create two thinner pieces, which will cook more evenly. The chicken can be grilled on a barbecue or cooked in a skillet for about 10 to 12 minutes, depending on its size.
While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the tzatziki sauce, a traditional Greek condiment that pairs perfectly with the grilled chicken. Tzatziki is a combination of Greek yoghurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs such as dill or parsley. This sauce adds a creamy, tangy element to the gyros.
To assemble the gyros, start with a warm pita or flatbread. Spread a generous amount of tzatziki on the bread, then add the grilled chicken, and top with fresh Mediterranean vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers. For an extra salty kick, crumbled feta cheese can be sprinkled on top.
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Frequently asked questions
The essential ingredients for a gyro are lamb, beef, onion, garlic, spices, and feta cheese, all wrapped in a pita.
Gyros use feta cheese.
Yes, you can use other types of cheese such as mozzarella or kasseri.