Greek Cucumber Cups Recipe Recipe For Stuffed

STUFFED CUCUMBER CUPS

Steps:

• Using a zester, vegetable peeler or fork, score the length of each cucumber to create a striped effect.
• Remove the ends and cut each cucumber into 3/4 inch rounds.
• Using a melon baller, scoop out the seeds from the center of each round to form a cup.
• Reserve 1 tbsp of the walnuts as a garnish.
• Combine remaining ingredients and stir until well blended.
• Spoon the mixture into the cucumber cups, garnish with the remaining nuts and chill until serving time.

GREEK-STUFFED HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Shape beef into 12 patties. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, chopped tomato, onion, olives, oil and oregano. Top half of the patties with cheese mixture. Cover with remaining patties and firmly press edges to seal. Sprinkle with salt and pepper., Grill patties, covered, over medium-hot heat or broil 4 in. from heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Serve each burger on a pita with lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber and salad dressing.

MEDITERRANEAN CUCUMBER CUPS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the onion, pepper, tomatoes, olives, oregano, feta, parsley, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil.
• Season with salt and pepper, and reserve.
• Peel the cucumbers partially, so it has 4 stripes of skin going down the entire length of the cucumber.
• Trim the ends of the cucumbers and cut each cucumber into slices 3/4 of an inch thick -- you should have about 20 pieces.
• Scoop out the center of each slice with a melon baler, leaving a shell of flesh.
• Scoop about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the Mediterranean salad into the cucumber cups and enjoy your refreshing bite-size snack!

GREEK-INSPIRED STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place 1/2 cup rice in a container and cover with water. Allow to soak for the 15 or 20 minutes, and drain well.
• Combine onion, garlic, rosemary, parsley, oregano, dill, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; stir to combine. Add ground lamb and drained rice. Using your hands, mix well until ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Slice bell peppers in half, top to bottom, and remove membranes and seeds. Evenly divide lamb mixture amongst each of the bell pepper halves. Set stuffed peppers in a shallow baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until filling is cooked through, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the filling should read 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Allow to cool slightly, and garnish with tzatziki (see note). Sprinkle feta cheese crumbles and chopped tomatoes evenly over the stuffed peppers before serving.

GREEK STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Zest lemon. Remove lemon pith with a sharp knife and slice flesh horizontally. Reserve slices.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an oven-safe, nonstick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and cook until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add lemon zest and garlic and heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add spinach to the onion mixture. Cook and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove spinach-onion mixture to a bowl. Wipe skillet clean and set aside. Stir feta cheese and olives into the spinach mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut a 2-inch slit along the edges of the thick side of each chicken breast. Cut lengthwise, being careful not to cut through the bottom or the opposite edge, creating a pocket. Season the pocket with salt and pepper.
• Stuff each chicken breast with 1/2 of the onion and spinach mixture and close the slits with toothpicks. Dust chicken lightly with flour, salt, and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Place chicken in the hot oil with the rib side facing up. Cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Turn chicken rib-side down and place lemon slices on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 35 minutes.

GREEK MEATBALL STUFFED PITAS WITH SIMPLE TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Tzatziki
• Place the grated cucumber in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Roll up the towel and squeeze out the excess water from the cucumber. Place the cucumber in a medium bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This can be made several days in advance.
• For the Meatballs
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs and milk and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to let the crumbs soften. Add the parsley, egg, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the turkey and mix until well combined.
• Portion the meatballs into tablespoon-sized balls and place ½-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
• To Serve
• Slice the pita breads in half. Dollop a spoonful of tzatziki sauce on the bottom of each pita. Add a layer of tomatoes and greens. Stuff meatballs inside and serve.