Ever wanted a delicious and healthy gyro, but never knew how to escape the fattening gyro meat? Well, now you can with a healthy and delicious tuna couscous patty on pita! HC is all about sharing healthy meals that are both easy and affordable for college students. This whole meal makes 4 servings and is only around 450-500 calories in total.
For this recipe, here’s what you will need:
· 4 Pocketless Pitas
· 2 Cans of Tuna in Water
· 2 Eggs
· 2/3 Cup of Whole Wheat Couscous
· 1 Tbsp. Feta
· ¼ Cup of Chopped Onions
· ½ Cup of Chopped Olives
· Half Chopped Cucumber
· Cherry, Grape or Regular Tomatoes, Chopped
· Spices: Sea Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Parsley, and Garlic (2 cloves finely chopped or powder), all to taste (or about 1-2 tsps. of each)
· Olive Oil (for frying)
Greek Yogurt Lemon Dressing
· 1 Lemon
· Sea Salt (to taste)
· ½ cup Greek Yogurt
Here’s what to do:
First, pour couscous into a saucepan and fill with water until it is about half an inch above the couscous, and allow it to boil until fully cooked (this can also be done in the microwave, it takes about 4 minutes this way). As soon as it is finished, fluff it with a fork and allow it to cool in the fridge.
Once it is cooled, pour couscous into a big bowl along with your chopped onions, olives, feta, tuna, and spices, and stir it all together. Then, crack two eggs into the mixture and knead with either your hands or by stirring.
Begin to heat a frying pan with olive oil, on low heat. Mold the mixture into patties (4 large or about 6-8 small). Place them in the pan, one at a time for large and two at a time for small, and allow them to brown. Flip them and allow them to cook/brown on each side. If they break into pieces, don’t be discouraged, flipping them with a spatula takes practice, but eventually you will be a pro! If they do happen to fall apart, just place them on a plate, allow them to cool a bit, and remold them with your hands.
Pop the pita in the oven at 350 degrees for about 3-4 minutes per side. While you are doing this, mix the Greek yogurt with salt, squeezing all of the lemon into the bowl. Once your pita is finished, place a patty on it and top with a little more feta, mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Greek yogurt dressing, and voila! You have a super delicious and healthy Greek gyro inspired meal (without the fat and calories from gyro meat).
Side note: These patties can be enjoyed as a healthy alternative to regular burgers as well.
Enjoy, collegiettes!
(photo via lemonythyme.com)