I have always enjoyed cooking, but the interest never truly took hold until I became a single father and was tasked with feeding two kids on a daily basis. Both kids had a severe milk allergy, (the go to the emergency room or inject epinephrine type--not an intolerance), so control over ingredients was important. I also wanted to minimize if not eliminate the amount of pre-packaged food we were consuming to better control the intake of things like sugar and sodium.
To make Gyros I pair thin slices of this meat with pita bread, lettuce, tomato, onions, feta cheese, and Tzatziki sauce, (I am still working on the recipe for the latter). Although it tastes great on its own which is good since I usually run out of pita bread before running out of meat. Note that I use a food processor in this recipe.
Although I first tried this recipe as a larger effort to make Gyros (see Gyro Meat), it works well for sandwiches, or instead of dinner rolls, (see Quick Buns for a fast way to make dinner rolls). The dough can also be frozen after the first rise to make it quicker to use when wanted. I am still looking for tips on how to consistently get a balloon-type "puffing" when cooking these, but if I am not filling them that is not important. Usually with one batch I will have enough fillable pieces to make what I need and I use the others as sides for another meal. Note that this recipe assumes the use of a stand mixer.
For general sliced bread needs, this is my go-to option. In my view good uses of this bread are things such as a cold cut sandwich, French toast, or for sopping up chili. I do not make the "2lb loaf pan" type of bread too often, but when I do this is what I prefer.
This is a quick dish that works well for a picnic or on pulled pork sandwiches. It is also a great way to use up excess cabbage from other recipes. I like this recipe as it has a bite to it along with a little sweetness. Additional things such as shredded carrots, hot sauce, and cayenne or red pepper may be added as desired.
Except in certain cases (like breads or making a roux), measurements are estimates. Spices I usually eye then adjust with tasting. Pepper should be freshly ground to get the best flavor.
The following abbreviations are used in the recipes:
C: cup
T: tablespoon
t: teaspoon
lb: pound
oz: ounce
g: gram
fl oz: fluid ounce
in: inch
ft: foot/feet
1T = 3t
1/4C = 8T
8fl oz = 1C