Saturday, July 17, 2010

Another Thrown-Together Supper

... or last-minute inspiration, if you like.

Mock Gyros

The only reason I'm proud of this one, is that I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand. The secret weapon, the tzatziki, is a yoghurt-garlic-cucumber sauce. I had an 8-oz container of it because I got it as an impulse buy at Jungle Jim's. The Greek seasoning was in our house thanks to my sister in law. The bell pepper was from my mother in law's garden!

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
2 t Greek seasoning
4 garlic cloves (or more, to taste)
¼ of a red onion
1 small bell pepper
whole-wheat tortillas, or other wraps
tzatziki

Method
Use your hands to mix the Greek seasoning thoroughly through the ground beef. Shape beef into eight to ten little “logs.” Place logs in a frying pan and flatten slightly. Turn the heat on medium low.
Peel garlic cloves, cut off the stem ends if desired, but leave whole. Place in the pan with the beef. Wash and slice red onion and bell pepper, and add them to the pan as well. Cook on medium or low until the pink is almost gone from the beef; then flip the patties. Cook until the patties are well browned on both sides, the garlic is getting some brown spots and softening, and the veggies are relaxed.
Place one to two patties, plus some veggies, in each tortilla or wrap. Serve the tzatziki on the side so each person can add the amount they want of it. Serve with grapes. Serves four to six.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Super Easy Taco Seasoning

If you're frying up some ground beef but don't have taco seasoning, just use :

2 t paprika
1 t cumin
1 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/4 t garlic salt or garlic powder

Mix the spices together in a little bowl, then add to the meat a little at a time. Seasons one pound of ground beef.