heenie's food blog

                                                                      I was brought up in Karachi where food options are literally unlimited. As a kid paratha roll was one of my favourites and almost every other food places had them. It is of course a paratha with some barbequed chicken chunks and this tangy tamarind sauce and onion rings. Ah! There is no place like Karachi!

Then there is shawarma…. meat cooked in a special way and the wrapped in pita bread/bread roll with some pickled vegetables. You can make these two types of wraps at home too but you don’t barbeque everyday and you don’t have that special grill on which they cook chicken for shawarma so I find a gyro to be more convenient.

                                                                  Since I have started making pita bread at home paninis and gyros are my new favourites. It would be better to keep chicken marinated for 2-3 hours or more. Tzatziki sauce can also be made ahead, kept covered in refrigerator. Give it a try, it is simple and your taste buds will thank you.

ingredients: ( 2-3 gyros)

2-3 pita bread

for chicken:

250 gm boneless chicken, cut in small cubes

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

2 tbsp olive oil

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp paprika powder

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 tbsp lemon juice

for tzatziki sauce:

2 tbsp thick unsweetened yogurt

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp lemon juice

some fresh dill or coriander, chopped

method:

In a small mixing bowl combine chicken pieces with garlic, oil, salt, cumin powder, paprika powder, black pepper powder, dried oregano and dried thyme. Mix together to coat chicken; cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or better yet, overnight.

Transfer chicken mixture into a medium pot and cook on medium flame. Let the chicken pieces brown evenly, about 3-4 minutes, stirring at regular intervals. Lower the flame and let the chicken through, about 3-4 more minutes. If needed, add a little water to avoid burning. When chicken is done turn the flame off, add lemon juice,stir and let the chicken cool down to warm.

Meanwhile mix yogurt, mayonnaise, salt and lemon juice till smooth. Add dill/ coriander.

To assemble, place 2-3 tablespoon of chicken mixture on pita bread and spoon the sauce. Roll, secure with foil if required, serve warm.