Lamb Gyros Recipe

1lb ground lamb

2 teaspoons kosher salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons fresh oregano

½ onion (cut into 1-inch chunks)

1 garlic clove

5 slices bacon (cut into 1 -inch pieces)

Yogurt sauce-

¾ cup unsweetened yogurt

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 minced garlic clove

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

For serving-

4 pieces pita bread (or naan)

Chopped fresh tomato

Diced onion

Cubed peeled seeded cucumber

 In a food processor mix together lamb, bacon, salt, pepper, garlic clove, and oregano. Process until a smooth puree has formed, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a rimed baking sheet with aluminum foil. With moist hands form the meat mixture into a rectangle about 1 ½ inches high and 8 inches long and 5 inches wide. Bake until the center of the loaf reads 155 degrees F. on a thermometer, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the loaf to rest for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile in a small bowl combine yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and parsley. Stir to combine.

Adjust the broiler to the highest position and preheat the broiler. Slice the loaf crosswise into 1/8^th to 1/4^th inch strips of meat. Each of the strips should be about 5-inches long and 1 ½ inches wide. Lay strips on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and broil until the edges are brown and crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove and tent with aluminum foil.

Warm the pita bread by placing on a rimmed baking sheet and broiling until soft, about 45 seconds per side.  

Spread ¼ cup of the sauce over each piece of bread. Divide the meat evenly between sandwiches. Top with onion, cucumber, and tomato.