It’s all Greek to me!

I don’t care how you pronounce the word: Gyros are one of man’s great inventions. Deliciously seasoned meat, roasted on a spit and shaved off on demand, served on pita with creamy tzatziki sauce and veggies. Real gyros are a special treat, but who says we can’t enjoy those flavors in a more healthy way? This recipe is also delicious in a pita or on a bun as a burger. It makes great meatballs too. For now, we’ll stick with the most basic and low carb version, served with a Greek salad on the side. Enjoy!



Gyro Patties

1 lb lean ground pork
¼ cup minced red onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 ½ tsp cumin
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a bowl. Divide into 4-5 equal portions and shape into patties. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before cooking. Grill on foreman, grill pan, or grill. Serve with tzatziki sauce and Greek salad (Romaine, tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, feta).

Tzatziki Sauce

1 cup plain yogurt
4 garlic cloves
¼ cup finely chopped cucumber
½ lemon, juiced
2 tsp finely chopped fresh dill
Salt to taste

Place whole, unpeeled garlic cloves in a small, unoiled skilled over medium low heat and cook for about 2 minutes per side - until lightly browned. Peel and chop finely. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Sauce is best if made ahead of time and allowed to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours.

The Easiest Dinner EVER

I love cooking... most of the time. Some nights, bouncing around the kitchen and creating something yummy feels like an escape from the rest of my day. Other nights, just the thought of chopping vegetables makes me want to curl up and order a pizza. We all have days where the things we normally enjoy just feel like too much effort. This is a super-easy meal that will not feel like a chore. It takes just moments to prepare, fills your home with yummy baking smells, and doesn’t skimp on flavor. This can be served alone for a light dinner or with salad or side of Spanish rice or black beans.



Baked Salsa Chicken

1 cup of your favorite medium or mild salsa
4 boneless skinless chicken breast fillets
Taco seasoning or a combo of Chili powder, cumin and garlic powder
¼ cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 small bag frozen corn
1 cup shredded low fat Mexican cheese blend
low fat sour cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a 9x13” class baking dish. Sprinkle lightly on each side with taco seasonings. Spoon salsa on top of each piece of chicken. Pour corn and chicken broth around the chicken. Cook for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the chicken and cook for 3-5 more minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with a small dollop of sour cream, if desired.