🍔 Happy Father's Day! A Guest Post by Ted Pappas
The Gyro Burger w/ Loaded Greek Fries - a classic!
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A Note for Father’s Day from Ted: How a dad takes care of his family…making sure they are fed fully!!
The gyro is Greek historical/classic street food of layered of meats cooked on a vertical rotisserie, sliced thin and served in pita w/ the traditional toppings. In America, mass-produced gyro (think the gyro cone w/ pressed meat) was created in Chicago in the 1970’s and since then, has become the quintessential Greek food, the Gyros Sandwich!
The beef burger is my connection to Chicago’s history of being the center of America’s meat packing industry, where innovation like refrigeration & revolutionary processes helped transform food in America, all the while employing waves of immigrants.
The tzatziki is my mom’s recipe that she always made for us, and of course, my favorite!
There are so many things I love about this elevated concept. I love the way that it brings together my heritage’s archetypal sandwich with Chicago’s meat history with my mom’s recipe … tying my culture & home town & growing up in Chicago and visiting family in Greece. I love how it’s piled HIGH, but still very supported and doesn’t fall over … like Chicago is the city of big shoulders, each component of this burger supports each other to elevate it!
It’s the typical way that a dad takes care of his family…making sure they are fed fully!!
Serve it with loaded Greek fries. These fries are topped with crumbled feta and some dried Greek oregano. Greek street food will often have a few fries in it; I wanted to showcase them next to the burger.
And just like every Greek, we always ask for a little extra tzatziki on our gyro sandwich, so I served up a little extra on the side.
This Gyro Burger w/ loaded Greek Fries is something I would serve at any of my tailgates and inside any stadium. Enjoy!
Gyro Burger w/ Loaded Greek Fries
Recipe by Ted Pappas
This burger version of the classic Gyro Sandwich will have your tastebuds saying “Opa!”. The homemade Tzatziki provides the perfect balance to the well spiced ground lamb and ground beef mixture.
Servings: 3 Burgers
PREP TIME: 20 min. | COOK TIME: 10 min. | TOTAL TIME: 30 min.
Ingredients:
For the Burgers
3 Brioch Buns
½ lb ground lamb
½ lb ground beef – 73% lean / 27% fat
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano
½ tablespoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground clove
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 Cucumber, thinly sliced
1 Beefsteak tomato, thinly sliced
1 Red onion, sliced into thin strips
For the Loaded Greek Fries
Your favorite Fries (Frozen)
Crumbled Feta
Dried Oregano
Olive Oil
For Yiayia Nancy’s Tzatziki
1 English cucumber
3 cups full fat Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons fresh dill
2 teaspoons fresh mint
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Greek Extra Virgin olive oil
Directions:
Bake your fries: While your going to be making your burgers, pre-heat your oven and bake your French fries according to the package.
Make your gyro: In large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine lamb, beef & all spices including the salt & pepper.
Shape your burgers: Divide lamb & beef mixture into three equal portions and form into round patties. Press the meat together firmly enough that it holds together, but do not overwork the meat mixture. Making an indention into the center of the patty will prevent it from puffing in the center while cooking.
Grill your burgers: Place patties on medium-high grill. In order to achieve a good sear, make sure to not move the patties until ready to flip. Flip each patty after approximately 4 minutes.
Remove from grill while medium-rare (approx. 130-135 degrees) and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Removing the burger from the grill and allowing it sit will ensure it is not overcooked and all of the juices do not run out. While resting, toast buns directly on grill.
Assemble your loaded Greek fries: Remove fries from oven and load with feta. Crumble feta and drizzle w/ olive oil & dried oregano to your heart's desire. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Assemble your burgers: Assemble with lamb & beef patty, tzatziki, tomato slice, cucumber slices and onions.
Tzatziki (prepared in advance)
Grate cucumber, on a course grater, into a tea towel or cheese cloth. Strain out all liquid and set aside.
In large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, mint, garlic, lemon juice, 1 tbsp of the Greek olive oil, and salt & pepper.
Top with remaining 1 tbsp of Greek olive oil.