Mediterranean Meatball Gyros Sandwich

"Unofficial" Month of Recipes - Day 16

This recipe comes from Pinterest, and I cannot wait to try it.  Using simple flavors often found in Greek cuisine, this unique recipe puts a twist on a traditional gyros recipe.  It is so flavorful you'll feel the urge to smash plates and shout out OPA!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup grated cucumber
• 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1/4 cup dry Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cup finely diced cucumbers
• 1 cup finely diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
• salt & pepper to taste
• 4 Flatbreads 

Directions:

• Combine 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup grated cucumber, 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. 
• Mix in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and stir to combine. 
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound ground chuck, 1/4 cup dry Italian breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.
• Mix well to combine and then form into meatballs.
• Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 10 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink inside.
• While the meatballs are cooking, dice 1 cup cucumbers, 1 cup tomatoes, 1/2 cup red onions, and a tablespoon of flat leaf parsley and combine in a serving dish. 
• Salt & pepper to taste.
• When the meatballs are cooked through, remove them from the oven to rest.
• Turn the oven up to broil and place the flatbread on a baking sheet. 
• Broil for until lightly toasted on both sides. 
• To assemble, place about 4 meatballs down the center of each flatbread. Spoon a generous amount of Tzatziki sauce down the center next to the meatballs and top with a heaping spoonful of the tomato and cucumber salad. 
• Wrap up and enjoy!