Gyros and Shawarma Spice Blend

Assuming that most people don't have a shawarma machine at home (the rotating meat grill seen in kebab shops), a delicious kebab can be made in the oven.

Kebab can be made from a single type of meat, but it's usually a combination of various meats (beef, pork, turkey, lamb). For homemade gyros, you can combine two types, for example, pork and turkey, or chicken in a 50:50 ratio.

If possible, grind 500g of meat at home in a food processor slightly finer than a butcher would. If not, ask the butcher to grind the meat twice. Add two heaping teaspoons (or to taste) of the gyros spice blend, half a teaspoon of salt, and a heaping tablespoon of breadcrumbs. Mix well and place in a bread loaf pan. If the pan is too large, make a larger quantity or press the mixture into one side of the pan, leaving space in the other. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) for about half an hour. Remove the mixture from the pan, flip it onto a baking sheet so that the bottom becomes the top, and bake until it forms a nice crust. Depending on your oven, be careful not to overcook the meat; it's important to have a crust on all sides as it imparts the most flavor.

Slice the meat thinly with a sharp knife (you can further sear the slices in a pan to get more crust, but if you achieved a good crust in the oven, this step may not be necessary).

Spread previously prepared tzatziki sauce on warm pita bread, tortilla, or a thin pizza crust you've cooked on a pan. Arrange the meat slices and your choice of toppings (cabbage, tomatoes, fresh salad, onions, corn, etc.), fold, and enjoy.

GOOD FOR kebabs, gyros, meat.