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Greek Lamb Meatballs (Gyro Style!)

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Greek lamb meatballs stuffed in fluffy pita with coconut milk tzatziki and mint pesto.

Ingredients

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Tzatziki sauce:

  • ⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup full fat canned coconut milk or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional, but highly recommended)
  • Zest and juice of ½ medium lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh dill
  • 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ English cucumber, shredded

Mint Pesto:

  • 2 cups fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup pine nuts, almonds or walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • Zest and juice of ½ lemon
  • Dash salt and ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Greek Lamb Meatballs:

  • 1-pound ground lamb, beef or chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ yellow onion, finely minced or 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon coarse salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For serving:

  • 8 whole grain pita rounds, toasted or grilled
  • ½ English cucumber, diced or sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. To prepare Tzatziki sauce, combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  2. To prepare mint pesto, combine mint, spinach, nuts, garlic, lemon, salt and black pepper  in a food processor. Pulse while drizzling olive oil in through the vegetable shoot until you reach desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
  3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high heat. In a bowl, combine all meatball ingredients, except the oil. Work with your hands until everything is thoroughly combined. Form meatballs using your hands and place them on a plate. Spritz meatballs with the cooking spray. Place them on the grill and cook, rotating a few times, about 8-10 minutes or until cooked through.
  4. To serve, place meatballs in toasted or grilled pita bread. Drizzle with Tzatziki and mint pesto and top with cucumbers, feta and fresh cilantro leaves.

Notes

Cooking Tip: You can also roast the meatballs in a 375 degree oven for 13-18 minutes or saute them in a large nonstick skillet on the stove.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thehealthyepicurean.com/greek-lamb-meatball-gyros/