| 1 | *use meat cut from the leg or shoulder. |
| 2 | The morning before an afternoon barbecue, make marinade by combining oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, herbs and pepper in a medium bowl. |
| 3 | Remove about ?cup to mix with the onions. |
| 4 | Place lamb cubes in bowl with remaining marinade; toss to coat well. |
| 5 | Place onions in small bowl and toss with reserved marinade. |
| 6 | Cover with plastic wrap and chill, up to several hours, turning several times. |
| 7 | Meanwhile, make yogurt sauce by lining a medium bowl with cheesecloth and spooning in the yogurt. |
| 8 | Tie up edges of cheesecloth with string to form a pouch. |
| 9 | Suspend over bowl (tying from refrigerator rack above bowl), or place in a colander over bowl and let stand to drain several hours. |
| 10 | Moisture will drip from the yogurt, giving it a thicker consistency. |
| 11 | Mix drained yogurt with minced garlic, chopped herbs, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. |
| 12 | Cover and chill. |
| 13 | Makes about 1 cup. |
| 14 | Stack pita bread rounds into 2 piles and wrap each in foil, dull side out. |
| 15 | To barbecue, heat coals or gas barbecue. |
| 16 | Remove meat from marinade, reserving some marinade for basting. |
| 17 | (discard any large garlic pieces). |
| 18 | Thread lamb onto greased skewers and grill over greased grill about 4" from hot coals. |
| 19 | Cook, turning and basting often, about 10 minutes or until lamb is brown on the outside, still pink inside. |
| 20 | Warm pita rounds over barbecue. |
| 21 | Before serving, lift the onions from the marinade with a slotted spoon and place in a serving bowl. |
| 22 | Cut whole tomatoes into thin wedges and place on plate. |
| 23 | Place lettuce leaves on plate. |
| 24 | Set out yogurt sauce and lots of napkins to facilitate handling of gyros. |
| 25 | To serve, cut each warmed pita bread in half and separate to form 2 pockets. |
| 26 | Each person fills a warmed pita picket with some of the grilled lamb cubes, lettuce, tomatoes and onions, topping with a spoonful of sauce. |
| 27 | Yield: 12 gyros, 2 per person |