Lamb or Beef Kebab Pitas With Tzatziki

Submitted by evelynathens

"Because of the use of ground meat, this is what we call a kebab here. Delicious! They can be oven-roasted, but I highly recommend you do these on the bbq."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 25
• Serves: 4-5

ingredients

• Kebab

• 1 lb ground lamb (preferably leg, with all the fat) or 1 lb ground chuck
• 1 small red onion, finely minced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1⁄3 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (well-rubbed between your fingers)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper

• For the Tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (no other yoghurt will do) or 1 cup sour cream
• 1 garlic clove, crushed to a paste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 5 fresh mint leaves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup fresh dill, minced
• 1⁄4 cup cucumber, grated, squeezed dry (unpeeled, washed)
• salt

• Garnish

• fresh tomato, thinly-sliced
• thinly sliced red onion
• minced parsley
• grilled pita bread

directions

1. In a bowl, knead together all the kebab ingredients. Form into sausages of about 4-5 inches in length. Cover and leave in the fridge for about an hour.
2. Prepare the Tzatziki: In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (this is also great on the bbq).
4. Grill the kebabs until brown and crusty on all sides, and cooked through, about 12-14 minutes.
5. Get some grilled pita breads.
6. Place 1 or 2 kebabs inside each pita and add some slices of tomato, onion, some tzatziki, and a generous sprinkling of parlsey.
7. Roll up as tightly as you can without mushing up your sandwich, and wrap a piece of aluminum foil around bottom to catch any drips.
8. Enjoy one of the best sandwiches you've ever had.

Reviews

[pammyowl]

This was good! My grill is on the fritz, so I browned all sides first, then popped hem in the oven for twenty minutes. Perfectly cooked. I didn't much care for the sweet spices in it, the cinnamon and allspice,that's the only reason I gave it four stars. I would make these again, omitting those spices.Also, I felt the olive oil in the sauce was an unnecessary addition. Thanks for sharing, made for ZWT9

 

[Random Rachel]

This was excellent! I loved the blend of spices. The oil in the tzatziki seemed a bit overpowering, but it may have been the brand I was using. I served it with Recipe #503566 on the side. The sandwich reminded me of a taco in how it was put together. For ZWT9.

 

[Ck2plz]

This was so yummy! We went the ground beef way because I am not a fan of Lamb; recipe made as written. The tzatziki sauce was like a slice of heaven. My DH polished it off by using it as a dipping sauce with the pita bread. I said this should go in the rotation of dinners and DH said YES! Made for ZWT9. Thanks Evelyn/Athens..it's a keeper!

 

[Chef Lori]

We had a Greek inspired dinner and these were a great addition as our main course! We loved them along with some Greek Couscous, and of course a Greek Salad. Lovely dinner indeed!

 

[Kaarin]

This was wonderful! I made mine up a few hours ahead of time and grilled on skewers. I had to use dried dill weed (about a tsp.) and frozen mint leaves, but the sauce was super! The best tzatziki I've had. Thanks!