DELUXE LAZY GYRO CASSEROLE
No matter how you pronounce it - “Yee-roh” or “Jy-roh” - there’s nothing like a gyro. If you’re lucky enough like me to live in an International City, you will often find them in local restaurants and at festivals. Unfortunately, some of the best parts of the creation have gluten or dairy or both. In fact, did you know that there is a common version of the meat that calls for wheat as one of the ingredients? Uh-huh, I didn’t know it either. It’s always best to ask if that’s a concern. Either way, you’re safe with this casserole and, let me tell you, this will become your new favorite way to eat them no matter how you say it. Promise!
Servings: 8 - 10 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Skill level: Easy
INGREDIENTS
1 cup RICE & PINE NUTS, prepared
2 pounds GROUND LAMB
4 Tablespoons GREEK SEASONING
1 cup HUMMUS
1 small ONION, chopped plus extra for garnish, optional
1 can ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS >or< 10 oz. ARTICHOKE BRUSCHETTA
GARLIC POWDER, optional
6 ounce can BLACK OLIVES, drained and sliced - reserving a small handful for topping
2 separate 8-10 ounce measurements GOATS MILK CHEESE CRUMBLES >or< 1, 8-10 ounce measurement or GOATS MILK CHEESE CRUMBLES and 1, 8-10 ounce FETA (goats milk or regular)
1-2 Tablespoons DILL (dried or fresh), optional as garnish
1 cup chopped fresh TOMATOES, optional
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, break up the ground lamb and sprinkle evenly with the Greek Seasoning.
Over medium heat, cook until the meat is no longer pink (but don’t cook it to death - it will have time to finish in the oven).
In a large bowl, mix together prepared Rice & Pine Nuts, cooked meat, hummus, onion, artichokes. Add a light handed sprinkle of garlic powder if you’d like.
Gently fold in 8-10 ounces of goat cheese crumbles and most of the black olives taking care not to pulverize the olives. You can include a little bit of dill, if you’d like.
Pour the mixture into a large baking dish (such as a 9x13 deep baking dish) and top with 8 ounces of goat cheese crumbles or the feta, a sprinkle of dill - if using, and the reserved black olives.
Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted.
Allow casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve sprinkled with chopped, fresh tomatoes and onions or make them available on the side as condiments - optional. Additional cheese crumbles, dill, and olives can be served for garnish as well, if desired.
Refrigerate any leftovers.
NOTES/VARIATIONS
Not feeling the Rice & Pine Nuts? Use regular rice prepared to your liking. Still don’t want rice? Substitute prepared quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, or just leave it out.
Store bought hummus works well - just be sure to read those ingredients. You’d be surprised what commercial preparations include. Otherwise, try this delicious homemade Healthy Hummus. It’s easier than you think and tastes amazing!
Looking for an easy already prepared, well made bruschetta? Try a 10 oz jar of DeLallo Artichoke Bruschetta. As of this writing, it has quality ingredients and is a convenient alternative to making your own. You can also use an olive bruschetta and omit the sliced olives for a nice twist.
Don’t like black olives? Use green. Don’t like any olives? Leave them out. I won’t tell.
Can’t “do” cheese? While this casserole is still perfectly tasty without cheese, Violife brand of vegan cheeze is a surprisingly good substitute. It even melts a bit for that gooey texture. Some folks who can’t tolerate regular dairy do very well with goat’s milk or raw dairy cheeses. Most grocery stores carry at least a few options. If none of those work for you, and you still want that cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is just that with the added bonus of naturally occurring B vitamins. Otherwise, omit it.
Like most of the recipes that I share, this is one highly personalizable. If there’s something you like, add it. Something you don’t, leave it out or substitute. However, unless it’s a dietary concern or all out aversion, try to follow the recipe one time just to give it a chance as is. You might be pleasantly surprised and you can always adjust going forward.
Side dish suggestions include: Versatile Tabouli, raw carrot sticks, fresh grape tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers with additional Hummus for dipping. If gluten isn’t a concern, pita makes a nice addition.
For the “yee-roh” purists... The intention of this casserole is to give delicious, nutritious, and realistic options for those who love gyros but are unable to eat them due to one or more offending ingredients or have an adventurous palate and just want to try something new. Give this a shot - you might like it, too!
As articulated in the What’s for Dinner article, always aim for the highest quality ingredients.
CREDITS/REFERENCES
Thumbnail photo credit: Original, untouched photo can be found here: Bad hair day? | Curly hair styles, Hair humor, Funny animals nl.pinterest.com.jpeg
I made this recipe up! I just took a whole bunch of things that I liked, could eat (due to dietary restrictions), felt would go well in a deluxe gyro, and turned it into a casserole. It’s tremendously tasty!