Meat Loaf Gyros Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 pound ground beef
• TZATZIKI SAUCE:
• 1 cup (8 ounces) plain yogurt
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 whole gyro-style pitas (6 inches)
• 3 tablespoons Crisco® Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Canola Oil, divided
• 16 slices tomato
• 8 slices sweet onion, halved

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the egg, garlic, oregano, kosher salt and pepper. Crumble lamb and beef over mixture; mix well.
• Pat into an ungreased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160°. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
• For sauce, in a small bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
• Brush pita breads with 1 tablespoon oil; heat on a lightly greased griddle for 1 minute on each side. Keep warm. Cut meat loaf into very thin slices. In a large skillet, fry meat loaf in remaining oil in batches until crisp.
• On each pita bread, layer tomato, onion and meat loaf slices; top with some tzatziki sauce. Carefully fold pitas in half. Serve with remaining sauce. Yield: 8 servings.

Meat Loaf Gyros published in Taste of Home October/November 2006, p27