Author: sharondashariee

At Home Family Dinners, Easy Dinners, Easy Family Dinners, Family Dinners, Home Cooked Food, Homecooked Meals, Homemade Food, Quick and Easy Dinners, Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner, Quick Dinners, Quick Family Dinners

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe for Families

sharondashariee

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe for Families

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

If you are anything like me, when it comes to dinner and weeknights, you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe for your busy family that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.  This quick and easy dinner idea will satisfy everyone at the table, or almost everyone.

Look no further because I have you covered with a mouthwatering gyro recipe using Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb.  This recipe is not only easy to make but also bursting with flavor, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight quick meal.

So, let us dive in and learn how to whip up these delicious gyros step-by-step.

Ingredients:

  • Pita bread
  • Tzatziki Sauce
  • Red Onion, diced
  • Romaine Lettuce, shredded
  • Fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
  • Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Gather all your ingredients together. I chopped the lettuce, tomatoes, and onion first and put them in a Ziploc bag so any leftovers would be ready to store right after dinner.  I took out Hannah’s Tzatziki Sauce.  You can use any brand, but Hannah’s is one of the best I have tasted.  The same goes for feta cheese.  Any brand will work.  Make sure to have everything ready before you prepare the beef and lamb to make the gyro assembling process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Heat Up the Costco Precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb

Since the Daphne’s Beef and Lamb from Costco are precooked, you will just need to heat them up through in a skillet on the stovetop until warmed through for approximately four minutes.  I wanted our beef and lamb a little browner, so I heated them for about 10 minutes.

Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Tip:

If you have a family member whose preference is chicken or vegan, this recipe is just as great using chicken instead of beef and lamb or using all vegies instead of meat.

Step 3: Prepare the Pita Bread

While the beef and lamb are warming, heat the pita bread. You can do this the conventional way by wrapping the pita bread in foil and placing them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until they are nice and warm. Alternatively, if you want to keep the quick and easy weeknight dinner idea in mind, you can do what I did and throw the pita bread on a microwaveable plate and put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Papa Pita Greet Pita Breads for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Hannah’s Tzatziki Sauce and Feta Cheese for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Step 4: Assemble Your Gyros

Lay out your warm pita bread, then spoon some of the heated Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb onto each pita bread. Next, top the meat with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and add tzatziki sauce.

Assembled Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

Step 5: Fold, Serve, and Devour

Once you have added all your desired toppings, it is time to simply fold the sides of the pita bread over the filling, serve, and devour.

Folded Costco Daphne’s Beef and Lamb Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe

With this quick and easy weeknight dinner gyro recipe, you can whip up a delicious dinner for your family in no time.  So, next time you are craving something flavorful and satisfying, give this recipe a try using Costco’s precooked Beef and Lamb.  You will not be disappointed! Happy cooking!

Have you made gyros before? Do you plan to give this quick and easy family dinner a try?

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Dining Out, Family Travel, Living, Mexico Adventures, Mexico Excursions, Mexico Travel, Out the Country Travel, practical-hotels, Self-Care, Things-to-Do, Travel, Travel with Kids

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures

sharondashariee

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures

When we went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I had one thing in mind, to RELAX. I did not want to do the usual excursion, city hopping, out all hours of the night, that we usually do. Sleeping, eating, and sitting by the pool were the only things on the agenda.

View from Oceanview AirBnB in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Click for Listing.

Until I stumbled upon a Puerto Vallarta post in one of the travel groups, suggesting that anyone going to Puerto Vallarta MUST do, “Rhythms of the Night” by Vallarta Adventures. Initially it was just my husband, me, my best friend, and her husband travelling, but my daughter talked us into letting her come along.  My friend then brought her daughter as well.

The girls enjoying the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta

We flew from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Puerto Vallarta International Airport, non-stop.  It was important to me to leave the country, with a short flight time.  Our flight was two and half hours.

We booked this Airbnb with a gorgeous view. The view was mandatory considering that my agenda consisted of merely breathing, lounging, eating, and sitting by the pool.

Oceanview Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Click for listing.

We headed into the city one of the days, for about three hours, but the activity that had every one of us in amazement was the Rhythms of the Night sunset cruise, dinner, and show.

Dinner in the city Puerto Vallarta, Mexico La Madalena Restaurant

Puerto Vallarta’s Rhythms of the Night

I purchased tickets to the show in advance from Puerto Vallarta Tours, $116 for adults and $109 for kids, 6-17 years old.  We received 30% off for booking more than four days in advance.  Regular or same-day pricing was $165 for adults and $155 for kids.

TIP 1: Book more than four days in advance to take advantage of 30% off regular ticket pricing.

The day of the tour, I used my very beginner Spanish to hale us a taxi and to get us to the dock where we boarded the boat.  Honestly, you do not need to know Spanish to get a taxi and arrive at your destination safely. However, I find every opportunity to practice.

Once we arrived at the ferry station, we made our way to the line where we presented our tickets, then we went through a security check. Yes, a security check, like in the airport.  Check the Vallarta Adventures website for prohibited items.

We boarded the boat, where there was a bar and plenty seating. I suggest getting there well before departure, so your group can sit together.  The suggested arrival time is 45 minutes prior to departure.

We arrived on the island where the Rhythms of the Night show takes place in about 30-45 minutes.  There was onboard entertainment, where they sang American songs, most people would be familiar with.  People danced and sang along.

It is a whole experience as soon as you step foot on the boat, let alone once you make it to the tiki lit island. 

Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures
Tiki Island Arrival

TIP 2:  Book the sunset cruise time.  There is an earlier day show, but the sunset booking time is more exquisite.

We were seated in designated areas around the island and assigned a dinner station.  Dinner was buffet style.  We had a traditional Mexican dinner.

We had a waiter who served drinks and any additional items you may want from the buffet.

After about an hour and a half, the staff began to clear the tables, and we waited to be dismissed. 

TIP 3: Use the restroom before you head to the stadium for the show.

We travelled to the stadium up large, flat, rocked stairs.  We stood in line for about 15 minutes before we could enter the stadium.  This activity is not recommended if you have difficulties doing a slight hike.

I would like to describe the show, but it is indescribable.  It is something to be experienced.  Here is glimpse of the amazingness we witnessed.

Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures

The entire crew from start to finish conducted this experience flawlessly.  If you need any more convincing, check their reviews.  Perfection.

Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures

Cost & Booking

Total Cost: $341 (included ferry ride, dinner, and show for three people)

Booked Rhythm of the Nights by Vallarta Adventures here:  https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en

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Farmhouse Table, Home DIY, Home Improvement, Living, Modern Farmhouse, Self-Care, Things-to-Do, Woodworking

DIY Farmhouse Kitchen Table

sharondashariee

We bought our first home in 2018, and like many others, the first thing we thought was, let’s go shopping!

Well, that’s what we though, but for us, that was not an actual reality after dishing out closing and down payment funds. So what did we do when we needed a dining room table at a reasonable cost? We DIY ourselves a farmhouse kitchen table. I began researching and found the amazing Ana White. Ana White provides free, printable, and easy to follow woodworking plans for hundreds of types of projects.

My husband and I used her “Beginner Farm Table” plans to build our farmhouse-style table. Link to the plans we used: https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/beginner-farm-table-2-tools-50-lumber

Ana states in the plans that only two tools (drill and a saw) and $50 are needed to build and complete the DIY farmhouse kitchen table and immediately my husband was skeptical.

TIP: Your local home improvement store will make cuts for you for free if you do not own a saw. Some policies charge .25-.50 cents per cut after two cuts.

We are not woodworkers by trade, so we were not sure if the tool assessment or cost was accurate. I said to my husband, we should go price the materials. We did just that at our local home improvement store, and the $50 cost was spot on (see editor’s note).

For us, all the lumber and screws were about $55 with local taxes. We had to buy stain and paint in the color we preferred, so that was an additional cost and if you do not have a drill, that will also be an expense. A drill will be cost worthy for future projects, if you plan to build other projects around your home, so consider it an investment.

Ana provides a cut list and specific instruction in each of her plans to make it simple to shop for what you will need at the home improvement store.

It took us a weekend to build the table. We sanded, stained, and painted over the next week. We let the table cure for about three days before we put it to use. We built the table inside the house, otherwise it would not fit through the doorway once we completed it. The length of the table is 8 feet, and width is about 4 feet. From start to finish, total completion time was 10 days, with having to go work in between.

Editors Note: This post was originally published August 19, 2019 and has been revamped and updated for comprehensiveness.

Our DIY farmhouse kitchen table is still our main dining table 5 years later, in 2024.

Appetizer, Best Food in Seattle, Date Night, Dining Out, Food Opinion, Seattle Eats, Things-to-Do

Seattle Eats

sharondashariee

Jackson’s Catfish Corner

Jackson’s Catfish Corner was recommended by someone I met online that was from the area. It was the perfect off the plane, grab something to eat meal. The catfish was seasoned well, the fries were great. If you have to choose between the sandwich and the strips, get the strips. The side sauce is A1.

This is what we ordered:
1/2 Fillet Catfish Strips with Hushpuppies – $16.99
Catfish Sandwich – $12.99
Total Bill: $31.95

Location Visited:
2218 S. Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98144

Communion Restaurant & Bar

Let me start by saying, make sure you make a reservation well in advance. I made our reservation about 10 days ahead of time, and there was only one early 4PM dinner reservations left. We almost opted out, but decided to follow through, and I am so happy we did. Everything from the host, our waitress, to the food was AMAZING! The fried chicken was probably the best fried chicken I have ever had outside my home. I was afraid of the pork chop, but my husband said we are on vacation, let’s try new things. It was delicious. We also had hoecakes, and macaroni and cheese. I love me a hoe cake, and macaroni and cheese always rounds out this type of meal.

This is what we ordered:
Unc’s Wings – $21
Pork Chop – $42
Better Than Yo Grandma’s Mac & Cheese – $12
Sweet Potato Hoecakes – $8
Total Bill: $134.61

Location Visited:
2350 E. Union Street
Seattle, WA 98122

Biscuit Bitch

The biscuits at Biscuit Bitch were soft, fluffy, and buttery. I could not stop talking about how airy, and pillowy the biscuit was as I ate it. Even with the softness of the biscuit it did not fall apart, as we ate it.

Tip 1: Order a sandwich to eat then, and order one for later or for the following morning.

This is what we ordered:
Bitchwich Sausage – $8.50
Bitchwich Hot Link – $9.00
Total Bill: $21.83

Location Visited:
Biscuit Bitch Belltown
2303 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

Tip 2: Order ahead to cut down on your wait, and be sure to arrive at the proper location. Two locations are blocks away from each other.

Pike Place Chowder

Apparently there is a local competition about who has the best clam chowder in the Seattle area. We asked about 7-10 people, and Pike Place Chowder won, paired with their online reviews. My husband or I eat clams, but we actually thought this was pretty good. I would not choose to eat clam chowder in general, but I am with someone else who would like to make this stop, I would not mind.

This is what we ordered:
New England Clam Chowder – $15.95 (shared)
Total Bill: $17.59

Tip: Upgrade to the Sourdough Bread Bowl

Location Visited:
Pacific Place Shopping Center
600 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Razzi’s Pizzeria Downtown

It was cold rainy night and we did not want to venture to far away from our hotel, and the concierge suggested Razzi’s Pizzeria. I thought it would at least be edible. Razzi’s turned out to be more than edible. If Razzi’s was in my local town, it would be on a weekly rotation. The pepperonis were so crispy and flavorful. I seen someone else order pesto on the side. I said to my husband, they must know what they’re doing, and they did! The wings were sauced great, and cooked just right. Razzi’s has a good thing going on for a quick, fast, and delicious meal. We noted Razzi’s as a spot we would come back to even if we were traveling with our kids.

This is what we ordered:
Small Pepperoni Pizza – $17.00
BBQ Wings – $21
Total Bill: $44.93

Location Visited:
Razzi’s Downtown
1314 Howell Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Tip: If you see a parking space upon approaching Razzi’s, get it. Parking spaces are far and few between.

*Beverages, tax, tip, and some items were not listed in the total bill.

Date Night, Family Travel, family-travel, inexpensive-hotels, practical-hotels, Things-to-Do, Travel, Travel with Kids

Hotel & AirBnB Recommendations

sharondashariee

This is a practical list of hotels or Airbnb we have stayed in with and without the kids. We would stay at each of these hotels again. I did not include any hotels that we would not stay at again.

Tip 1: When traveling with our kids, I always choose a hotel that is a suite and has complimentary breakfast.

My favorite hotel brand to stay in with the kids is Embassy Suites by Hilton, and second is Residence Inn by Marriott. When it is just my husband and me, we stay in a Hilton, Hyatt, and sometimes a Marriott.

Tip 2: Pick 2-3 hotel brands you like or love and consistently stay at those brands to accrue points to redeem for free nights.

Arizona

  • Avondale
    • Homewood Suites Avondale
    • Homewood Suites Phoenix-Avondale
  • Goodyear
  • Flagstaff
    • Embassy Suites Flagstaff
  • Phoenix (area)
    • Hampton Inn Phoenix-Biltmore
    • Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs
    • Springhill Suites Phoenix-Chandler
    • Springhill Suites Phoenix-Glendale/Peoria
  • Prescott
    • Holiday Inn Express Prescott
  • Scottsdale
    • Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort
    • Hampton Inn Phoenix/Scottsdale
    • Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
    • Holiday Inn & Suites Scottsdale-Old Town
    • Marriott at McDowell Mountains
    • McCormick Scottsdale Resort
    • Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
  • Tucson
    • Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel
    • Hampon Inn Tucson-Airport
    • JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
    • Omni Tucson National Resort

California

  • Long Beach
    • Hotel Maya a Doubletree
    • Hyatt Centric-The Pike Long Beach
  • Los Angeles (area)
    • Doubletree Los Angeles-Norwalk
    • Hampton Inn Los Angeles-Orange County-Cypress
    • Embassy Suites Arcadia/Pasadena
    • Embassy Suites Orange County-Irvine
    • Residence Corona Riverside
  • Newport Beach
    • Holiday Inn Express Newport Beach
  • Oakland
  • Ontario
    • Hyatt Place Ontario/Ranch Cucamonga
  • Redondo Beach
    • Marriott Torrance/Redondo Beach
  • San Diego
    • Comfort Inn & Suites Zoo/Sea World
    • Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown
    • Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Liberty Station
    • Hampton Inn San Diego Mission Bay
    • Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside
    • San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
    • Omni San Diego Hotel
    • Marriott Vacation Club Pulse
  • San Francisco
    • Doubletree San Francisco Airport North
  • Santa Ana
    • Doubletree Club Orange County Airport
    • Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Ana/Orange County

Florida

  • Jacksonville
    • Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville-Airport
  • Miami
    • Comfort Suites Miami Airport North
    • YVE Hotel Miami

Georgia

  • Atlanta
    • Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North

Idaho

  • Sandpoint
    • Best Western Edgewater Resort

Illinois

  • Chicago
    • Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown River
  • Kentucky
    • Lexington
      • Hyatt Place Lexington

Louisiana

  • New Orleans
    • Doubletree New Orleans Airport

Montana

  • Great Falls

Nevada

  • Las Vegas
    • Boulder Station Hotel & Casino
    • Flamingo Hotel & Casino
    • Harrah’s Las Vegas
    • Palace Station Hotel & Casino
    • Sahara Las Vegas
    • Springhill Suites Las Vegas Convention Center
    • Treasure Island Hotel & Casino

North Carolina

  • Charlotte

Ohio

  • Cincinnati
    • Sonesta ES Suites – Sharonville West

Oregon

  • Portland
    • Hyatt Regency Portland at the Convention Center

Texas

  • Arlington
    • Comfort Suites Arlington – Entertainment District
  • Dallas (area)
    • Candlewood Suites DFW West-Hurst
    • Embassy Suites Dallas Lovefield
    • Townplace Suites Desoto Dallas South
  • Fort Worth
    • Homewood Suites Forth Worth Medical Center
    • Hyatt Fort Worth City View
    • Hyatt Place Fort Worth Alliance Town Center
  • Houston
    • Doubletree Hotel & Suites by the Galleria

Washington

  • Seattle
    • Hilton Garden Inn-Seattle Downtown

Canada

  • Vancouver, B.C.
    • Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown

Mexico

  • Jalisco
    • Puerto Vallarta
      • Peninsula Tower Condominiums
  • Sonora
    • Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point)
      • Las Palmas Beachfront Resort
      • Sonoran Sky Resort