Tempeh Gyros and Tzatziki

Howiesar's Note:

A vegetarian version of a Greek favorite

• Total Time: 5 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 5 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 4.0 gyros

Gyro Tempeh

• 4 ounces tempeh
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ½ tablespoon garlic
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄8; teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or 1 teaspoon other vinegar

Tzatziki

• ½ cup peeled grated cucumber
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 chopped garlic clove
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon dill weed
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or 1 teaspoon other vinegar
• 1 teaspoon oregano

Other Ingredients

• 4 -6 Greek pita breads
• olive oil (for cooking)
• lettuce
• tomato

Directions:

1. To make gyro "meat" cut tempeh into thin strips 1/2 - 1.5 cm in thickness works well.
2. Next make tempeh marinade with all ingredients listed under "Gyro Tempeh".
3. Pour the marinade over the tempeh, make sure all surfaces are covered and place in fridge to marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
4. Next, make Tzatziki- combine all ingredients listed under Tzatziki. Stir well and also place in fridge to sit for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
5. When you are ready to eat, set the Tzatziki out to warm slightly while you cook the tempeh.
6. Heat a large skillet with 3-4 tbsp olive oil and heat over medium, once heated place tempeh strips in and let them cook until each side is golden brown.
7. Remove tempeh from pan, and one at a time heat the pitas over medium heat until warmed on each side.
8. Then layer your gyro (pita, tzatziki and tempeh) as you choose with lettuce, and/or tomato if you like.

Reviews

[Nose]

I only made the tempeh. The texture worked well for a gyro. I didn't have onion powder, so I grated some onion. I thought the flavor of this was good, but too salty. If I make it again, I will use less salt.

[Aunt Cookie]

This was a big hit...next time we make it we're going to double the recipe. Served with the yogurt sauce, this really does resemble a gyro (although, admittedly, it has been a while since I had the meat version). Thanks for sharing!

[zaar junkie]

This was just okay for us - we only made the tempeh part of the recipe. For a sauce, I used a bit of the marinade with some garbanzos for a modified hummus recipe - that was really good. Glad I tried this but we probably won't make it again. Thanks for posting.