Greek Taco

Let's all thank Jeff, the newly crowned Sandwich King for this yummy recipe. So simple, so delicious, so filling and so refreshing. I totally edited the original recipe.

What you'll need:

• 1lb Ground Lamb
• 1/4 c Diced Red Onion
• 1 minced Garlic Clove
• 1 tbls Tomato Paste
• 1/4 tsp Oregano
• 2 tbls Dry Red Cooking Wine
• Salt/Pepper
• 4 Small Pitas

Tzatziki:

• 1/2 Cucumber, peeled and shredded
• 1 cup Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 Minced Garlic Close

Cucumber Tomato Relish:

• 1 tbls Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tbls Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1/2 Cucumber, peeled and cubed
• 1/4c diced Red Onion
• Salt/Pepper

Make it:

*Quick note. I like to make the relish and tzatziki first and let chill while cooking the rest.

 In a large skillet, heat the oil over me-high heat. Add the lamb, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until for approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Once the meat turns golden brown, remove the lamb and set aside. Turn the heat down to medium and saute the onions in the lamb juices until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano and garlic and cook until fragrant. Season. Add the tomato paste and cook until it caramelizes. Deglaze with the red wine and scrape any bits up that have adhered to the pan. Add the lamb back in, stir and set aside.


For the tzatziki: In a food processor, add the cucumber and garlic and quickly shred. Remove from the processor and fold in the yogurt. Refrigerate until ready to use. 


For the tomato/cucumber relish: Chop the cucumber, tomato and onion and place into a small bowl. Add the vinegar and let soak and the rest of the ingredients and stir together. Refrigerate until ready to use. 


After the lamb mixture is ready, very lightly toast the Pita. Then layer on the tzatziki on the pita, add the lamb, then top with the relish. 


Make it healthier and cook with Ground Turkey, whole wheat pitas, and fat free yogurt!

Potato Salad

So yea, even though this blog is titled "Best Served Hot" I have a lot of cold salad recipes. But don't act like you don't love them. This recipe is courtesy of a chef friend. Thanks Mike!

What You'll Need:

• 5 lb Red Bliss Potatoes
• 1 cup light mayo
• 1/4 cup dijon mustard
• 2 cup apple juice
• 1 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh dill
• 1/4 apple cider vinegar
• salt
• pepper

Make It:
With the skin still on, quarter and boil the potatoes. Cook them enough, but keep them slightly firm so it doesn't get mushy.
As the potatoes are cooking away, add the apple juice to a small pot and boil this down until about half has disappeared to a 1/4 cup.
While cooking the potatoes, add all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl including the reduced apple juice.
Let this all chill in the fridge while the tots are going.
Once the potatoes are done, drain thoroughly and add to the mixing bowl and mix well.

Serve Chilled

Other Options:
This is in the orinigal recipe, but I pulled it because I don't love bacon and it's not on my healthy food agenda. However, for you bacon lovers out there:

Add 2lbs thick sliced bacon
Cook the bacon on med-low heat until the fat is rendered out and crispy. Once done, place the bacon on a papertowel to pull the extra grease.
When cool enough to touch, chop into diced pieces, add to the salad and mix.
It's really, really, good.