Gyros

I've always loved the idea of gyros, but even when I did eat meat lamb wasn't really my thing. In Europe I ate my fair share of veg gyros (or kebabs, as they're known as over there), but I wanted something with a little more substance, and I'm not a huge fan of falafel so I decided to create a gyro with mock lamb made from seitan. It's easy and delicious, so go ahead and give it a try!

Gyros
1 recipe seitan (below), chopped into smallish bits and pieces
1 small white onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced finely
3 T. olive oil
4 t. cumin
2 t. rosemary
4 t. marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
1 c. water
Cucumber-mint sauce (recipe below)
Flatbread
Lettuce, chopped
Tomatoes, diced
>>> Heat olive oil over med-high heat, then add onion and garlic and sautee until soft. Add remaining spices and continue to sautee for a minute or two, then add seitan. Cook, stirring often, until seitan begins to brown. Lower heat and add water, and cook for about 10 minutes or until most of the water is absorbed. Brush flatbread with olive oil and broil for about 30 seconds (or just stick the bread--no oil--in the microwave to get it all soft and chewy). To assemble: top flatbread with seitan, lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of cucumber sauce. Fold, eat, enjoy!

Seitan
2 c. Vital Wheat Gluten flour
1 1/4 c. water
3 T. soy sauce or Bragg
>>> Add liquid to flour and knead for a minute or two, then divide into about six or eight equal parts and knead each one in your hand for a bit then flatten into a disc shape. Bring a pot of water to a boil then add seitan, and simmer for about 45 minute (or you can cover with water in a casserole dish and bake at 350 for about an hour). [note: you can totally skip this step by buying seitan from the grocery store, but just be aware that this recipe makes about three times that of your typical store-bought stuff, so you'll need to adjust the spices accordingly.]

Cucumber sauce
1 small cucumber, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/2 c. vegan mayo
1 t. red wine vinegar
5-6 mint leaves, chopped
pinch of salt
>>> Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and blend until just a few small bits of cucumber remain.