Children often clamor for tasty lunches to help them refuel during the busy winter season. The same foods served time and again can get boring pretty quickly. Offering up new options doesn鈥檛 have to be complicated, and parents may discover an array of foods and flavors that their kids will enjoy and ask for in the future.
Such can be the case with Greek-inspired gyros. The fillings can vary depending on the ingredients available in the house. For 鈥淭urkey Meatball Gyros鈥� from the 鈥淭aste of Home: Healthy Cooking Cookbook鈥� (RDA Enthusiast Brands) by the editors of Taste of Home, the meatballs can be made the night before or in big batches and frozen to be used as needed. The yogurt sauce in this recipe is reminiscent of traditional Greek tzatziki, which is fresh and flavorful.
Turkey Meatball Gyros
Makes 4 servings
1鈦�2聽聽 聽cup seasoned bread crumbs
1聽聽 聽egg
1聽聽 聽teaspoon garlic powder
1鈦�2聽聽 聽teaspoon salt
1鈦�4聽聽 聽teaspoon pepper
1聽聽 聽pound lean ground turkey
3鈦�4聽聽 聽cup (6 ounces) reduced-fat plain yogurt
1鈦�2聽聽 聽cup finely chopped peeled cucumber
2聽聽 聽tablespoons finely chopped onion
11鈦�2聽聽 聽teaspoons lemon juice
8聽聽 聽whole wheat pita pocket halves
2聽聽 聽cups shredded lettuce
1聽聽 聽cup chopped tomatoes
In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, egg and seasonings. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into 16 balls.
Place meatballs on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake uncovered at 400 F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, onions, and lemon juice. Line pitas with lettuce and tomatoes; add the meatballs and drizzle with the yogurt sauce.
