Spanish-style Gyros

Ingredients

While the original Greek Gyros typically uses lamb or pork, this Spanish adaptation incorporates the use of succulent marinated chicken or beef. The seasoning blend is also influenced by Spanish flavors, infusing the dish with aromatic spices like smoked paprika and saffron. Additionally, the traditional tzatziki sauce is replaced with a zesty garlic aioli, adding a Spanish twist to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Gyros, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken or beef, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken or beef, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4-6 pita breads 4-6 pita breads
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (4g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (3g sugars)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, saffron threads, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced chicken or beef to the marinade and mix well to coat. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill or a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Cook the marinated meat for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
5. 5.
   Warm the pita breads on the grill or in a toaster.
6. 6.
   Spread a generous amount of garlic aioli on each pita bread.
7. 7.
   Place a portion of the cooked meat on top of the garlic aioli.
8. 8.
   Garnish with sliced onions, tomatoes, and fresh parsley.
9. 9.
   Fold the pita bread in half and serve immediately.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken or beef — For tender and juicy meat, slice it thinly against the grain.
• Saffron threads — To enhance the flavor, soak the saffron threads in warm water for a few minutes before adding them to the marinade.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a smokier flavor, you can grill the marinated meat instead of cooking it on a skillet.
• For a vegetarian option, you can substitute the meat with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the gyros before serving for an extra burst of freshness.

Serving advice

Serve the Spanish-style Gyros with a side of Spanish rice or a refreshing salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some smoked paprika or saffron threads on top of the gyros before folding the pita bread.