If there is one dish that every meat lover enjoys, it is the shawarma. Slow roasted meats on an open grill combined with glorious Mediterranean spices and olive oil; just the thought of it is mouth-watering. Even those who have vegetarian food as their main focus will always welcome a serving of shawarma when it is offered to them. That makes this a great dish to serve the family or to have ready when entertaining people. One of the most popular ways to serve shawarma is to place the meat in pita bread to make a great Middle Eastern sandwich called a gyro. It’s a snack, a main course or a side dish – depending on how you want to use it. Whether it's for family or friends, gyro plates are always welcome. Here’s an easy way to make them.

Ingredients

For one plate:

• 2 Greek pita bread rounds, cut in wedges
• Greek tzatziki
• Slices of gyro meat (eyeball it, but about 4-8 slices per plate)
• 1-2 large onions, sliced
• 2-3 large tomatoes, diced
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Salad
• Greek-style fries, if you want
• Dried oregano (preferably Greek) for the garnish

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Also Read: The Great Halal Meat Myth

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Preparation

Arrange the gyro meat on the plates. You will need one plate per person. Add some onions, tomatoes, feta cheese and fries (if using) to each plate. Sprinkle with Greek oregano to garnish. Divide the pita bread wedges evenly amongst each of the plates along with a spoonful of tzatziki.

Feel Free to Experiment

The reason the recipe is so bare-boned is because there is no fixed style or way of serving a gyro plate. There are also no rigid rules on the garnishes or what can be added to the plate. Feel free to experiment and try out combinations till you find a few that you really like. These can become your go-to dishes when you want a quick, easy and tasty meal or when friends come over. And if, after a time, you hanker for something different, there are all the untried gyro plate variations waiting for you.

The Easy Way to Culinary Greatness

Offering gyro plates to family and friends will make you very popular, but the downside is that this is a dish that will always be in demand. What you will need is a way to cut down on the preparation time and effort. The best way to do this, without compromising on the quality, flavor and nutrition is to get the key ingredients from a Mediterranean grocery store. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, Aladdin Gourmet is the place to go. The deli section is where you will find the best hummus, tabouleh, Greek and Middle Eastern salads, chicken, beef and lamb shawarma. There are also lots of other foods to try and, inevitably, fall in love with.

 

With the best ingredients easily available all day and also online, all you need to do is take it easy until it's time to assemble the gyro plates. From the best homemade shawarma in San Mateo to the best gyro plates, your food will continue to earn you plaudits.

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