Lunch Ideas - Heros and Gyros

Here are two quick and easy lunch ideas.  

Sometimes you just want a big sandwich or a pita, right?  We recently discovered these Pretzel Rolls that Trader Joe's has and we are kind of obsessed with them.  I've had pretzel buns before at restaurants, but these rolls are longer and the perfect shape for a hero type sandwich.  And the best part?  They are only .99 cents each!  Here are two inspirations for your own creations!  (Note: The pretzel rolls contain egg and are not vegan.)

Pretzel Roll Heros

  

The pretzel rolls are very soft so i sliced the roll in half, sprayed each half lightly with cooking spray and grilled on a grill pan until toasted (or toast in toaster oven).  I smeared one half of the roll with a small amount of Vegenaise, added kale, and baked TJ's cripsy chicken less tenders tossed in buffalo sauce (of course) for a buffalo chicken kale hero.  We also tried these rolls with kale, Tofurky Peppered Deli Slices, and a smear of cashew cheese spread. Also delicious.  Try with your favorite sandwich toppings and get creative on these tasty and budget friendly rolls!

Vegan Gyros

David and I spent four never hungry months in the Mediterranean when we were working performing on a cruise ship.  We became obsessed with Gyros which are sold as street food (much like NYC) all over place, but the best ones of course were in Greece.  Gyros are one of the only meat meals that I have craved and missed in my post meat eating life and I think about them longingly and often!  Then one day I saw a vegan gyro product by a company named Viana in Hell's Kitchen's Westerley Natural Market.  I was skeptical but wanted to give it a try and they were amazing!!!!  The seasoning was dead on and the texture was perfect I was so happy

We cooked the gyros strips according to the package, trying to get the edges crispy like the real thing, and toasted pita bread on the stove.  I made a a simple vegan tzatziki the night before with some plain soy yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and dill.  Smear your pita with the tzatziki, place on the gyro strips, and top with some sliced tomatoes and red onion.  If you want a truly Greek experience, top with a few oven baked french fries or potatoes and sprinkle with paprika!