Introduction: Experience the allure of Mediterranean flavors with our Vegan Mushroom Gyros, a culinary masterpiece that transforms humble oyster mushrooms into a savory, gyro-inspired delight. This plant-based take on the classic Greek street food introduces a symphony of spices, caramelized onions, and a medley of fresh toppings, elevating your taste buds to new heights. Embark on a journey of gastronomic pleasure as we unravel the secrets to crafting this delectable vegan gyro.
Ingredients Unveiled: For the Gyro Filling:
- Oyster Mushrooms (8 oz): The star of the show, shredded into thin strips to mimic the texture of traditional gyro meat.
- Onion (1, sliced): Caramelized to perfection, adding a sweet and savory undertone.
- Sugar (1/2 tbsp, optional): Enhancing the caramelization process for a delightful sweetness.
- White Wine or Lemon Juice (1 splash): Infusing brightness into the mushroom mixture.
- Olive Oil (1/2 tbsp): A drizzle that brings richness to the gyro filling.
- Fresh Thyme (6 sprigs, leaves only): Introducing herbal notes to enhance the overall aroma.
Gyros Seasoning Mix:
- Coriander (1 tbsp)
- Cumin (1.5 tsp)
- Paprika (1/2 tbsp, sweet or smoked)
- Garlic Powder (1/2 tbsp)
- Oregano (3 tsp)
- Cinnamon (1 tsp)
- Ground Cloves (1/8 tsp)
- Chili Powder (1/8 tsp)
Gyros Crafting Symphony:
- Spice Mix Overture: Begin by whisking together all the gyro spices in a small bowl. This harmonious blend will serve as the soulful essence of your vegan gyro.
- Caramelized Onion Ballet: In a medium heavy-bottomed pan, dance the sliced onions to translucent perfection in a drizzle of olive oil. Elevate the sweetness with a pinch of salt and a dash of sugar, letting them caramelized to a golden symphony. Transfer to a bowl for later use.
- Gyro Filling Crescendo: Shred the oyster mushrooms and introduce them to the pan that witnessed the onion ballet. Add a splash of white wine or lemon juice, and toss in the fresh thyme leaves. Watch as the mushrooms wilt gracefully.
- Spice Fusion: Stir in the Gyros Seasoning Mix, ensuring each mushroom strip is coated in the flavorful ensemble. Adjust the seasoning to your liking and let the mixture cook until moisture evaporates, intensifying the flavors.
- Optional Culmination: For an extra layer of texture, transfer the mushroom filling to a broiler-proof dish. A brief encounter under the broiler will crisp up the edges, creating a delightful contrast. Mix in the caramelized onions for a culinary crescendo.
- Pita Presentation: Preheat your pita breads using your preferred method – microwave, broiler, or dry skillet. Form a pita cone using your hand and wrap it with butcher paper secured with kitchen twine for an elegant presentation.
- Gyro Ensemble: Fill the pita cone with the vegan gyro filling, complemented by slices of cucumber, tomato, and a generous drizzle of vegan Tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh dill and red onions for an aesthetic finish.
Culinary Insight Duets:
- The Tzatziki Sauce: A gyro is incomplete without the iconic Tzatziki. Craft a vegan version using a Greek yogurt base, garlic, and cucumber. Our Vegan Tzatziki Sauce is the perfect accompaniment.
- Gyros Variations Waltz: Explore gyro variations by swapping oyster mushrooms for young jackfruit, tempeh, or seitan. The Vegan Ribs recipe, minus the BBQ sauce, can also serve as an exceptional gyro meat alternative.
Nutritional Harmony: Guilt-Free Indulgence: Packed with the goodness of oyster mushrooms, this Vegan Mushroom Gyros offers a delightful yet health-conscious alternative.
Conclusion: Immerse yourself in the rich symphony of flavors that is our Vegan Mushroom Gyros. From the intricate dance of spices to the caramelized crescendo of onions, every element in this recipe has been meticulously crafted to evoke the essence of traditional gyros. Share this gourmet delight with friends and family, and let the plant-based gastronomy revolutionize your perception of this classic Greek dish. The Vegan Mushroom Gyros – a culinary masterpiece that transcends expectations and welcomes you to the world of compassionate indulgence.
Vegan Gyros
Ingredients:
1 onion sliced
1/2 tbsp sugar maple syrup, agave or date syrup (Optional)
8 oz oyster mushrooms the gyro meat
1 splash white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice
1/2 tbsp olive oil
6 sprigs fresh thyme (leaves only)
Gyros Seasoning Mix
1 tbsp coriander
1.5 tsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
3 tsp oregano
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp chili powder
Serving Suggestions:
4 Flatbreads (Pita Bread), Vegan Tzatziki Sauce, Sliced Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Red Onion or Scallions, Fresh Dill, Fries, Hummus etc…
Instructions:
Make the Spice Mix:
In a small bowl whisk together all the gyros spices until combined. Store in a spice jar until needed.
Caramelize the Onion:
Heat up a medium heavy bottom pan and cook the onion in a light drizzle of olive oil with a pinch of salt until translucent. Stir in the sugar and cover with a lid. Cook on medium low heat until nicely caramelized, checking and stirring often taking care not to burn it. Once caramelized transfer to a bowl and reserve. (You can omit the sugar of course but it helps speed up the caramelization process).
Prepare the Gyro Filling:
Meanwhile shred the oyster mushrooms into thin strips and add them to the skillet you cooked the onions in. Turn the heat up and add a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon. Stir in the fresh thyme and cook together until the mushrooms are wilted.
Stir in 3 teaspoons of the Gyro seasoning mix and continue cooking until all the moisture has evaporated stirring often so the spices don’t burn. Taste and season with sea salt and more of the spice mix to your taste.
Optional but suggested: transfer the mushroom filling to a broiler proof dish, give it a quick spray of olive oil and broil for a few minutes until the edges crisp up. Remove from heat and mix in the caramelized onions.
Preheat your pita breads in the microwave, under the broiler or in a dry skillet.
Use your hand to fold the pita into a cone and wrap some butcher paper around its bottom. Secure with kitchen twine.
Fill your pita cone with the vegan “ Gyros meat”, a few slices of cucumber, tomato and a generous drizzle of vegan Tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh dill and red onions if desired.
Notes:
The Tzatziki Sauce:
You wouldn’t have a gyro without tzatziki. It’s a Greek yogurt based sauce, spiced up with lots of garlic and cucumber. Make a full batch and use it to dip veggies in for the rest of the week or just make more gyros. You can use my Vegan Tzatziki Sauce!
Gyros Variations:
Swap out the mushrooms – Instead of oyster mushrooms, you could use young, unripe jackfruit, tempeh, or seitan. Actually, our Vegan Ribs, minus the BBQ sauce, would work amazing as gyro meat.
Use my Potato Flatbread instead of Pita – Don’t have pita bread on hand? No problemo, just whip up a quick batch of these vegan potato flatbreads instead.