Greek Pita Pocket Recipes

GREEK FLATBREAD-PITA

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the sugar, yeast, water and milk. Set aside for 5 minutes until mixture starts to froth.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and the thyme leaves. Mix well.
• Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir well.
• Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour mix. Mix well each time you add the yeast mixture.
• Transfer dough mix to a lightly floured working surface. Knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth.
• Brush a bowl with some oil and add the dough. Cover with a damp towel and let it rest for about 40 minutes, until it rises and doubles in size.
• Cut dough into 6 equal sized pieces.
• With your hands, gently stretch each piece of dough to a circle about 7 -8 inch wide. You can also use a rolling pin.
• Place a cast iron pan over high heat. Add 1 tsp olive oil.
• Cook each pita bread for 1-2 minutes on each side in the pan, until it puffs up a little and starts browning. (Add a little olive oil to the pan after cooking 1-2 pitas).

GREEK PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except bread.
• Spoon about 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture into each pita bread half.

GREEK PITA POCKET

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine yogurt, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the lemon juice, dill and ¼ tsp (1 mL) of the lemon pepper. Set aside.
• In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, sauté beef, onion and garlic, breaking up meat with a spoon until beef crumbles, for 5 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, Greek seasoning, remaining 2 tsp (10 mL) of lemon juice and remaining ¼ tsp (1 mL) of lemon pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until heated through.
• Place pitas on a work surface. Spread yogurt sauce equally in each pita. Place lettuce, beef mixture and feta cheese equally in each pita.
• Tip: Fresh dill can be kept for only about 2 days. It's wonderful in chicken salad, with seafood and as a garnish to many dishes.
• To make your own Greek seasoning: In a small bowl, combine ¼ tsp (1 mL) each dried oregano, dried parsley, dried garlic powder and salt.

GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Marinate chicken in vinaigrette, covered, in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients; chill until serving., Drain and discard marinade. If grilling the chicken, lightly oil the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 4-7 minutes on each side., Cut chicken into strips. Fill each pita half with chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and cheese; drizzle with sauce.

GREEK PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine first four ingredients until well mixed.
• stir in cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and onion.
• brush pita pockets and toast until warm in toaster oven.
• generously spread pita pockets with hummus.
• fill with basil, greens, meat and yogurt mixture.

GREEK CHICKEN IN A PITA

Steps:

• In a blender combine juice, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper and mint or cilantro leaves. Process until smooth and pour over chicken to marinate. Refrigerate chicken and allow to marinate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl stir together yogurt, cucumber and chopped mint.
• In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Heat pitas under a broiler or in a toaster oven. Slice open pitas and stuff with chicken, tomatoes, lettuce and top with yogurt dressing. Serve immediately.

FRIED FETA GREEK SALAD PITAS

Steps:

• Combine the olives, cucumbers, red pepper and onion in a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, a big pinch of salt and some black pepper and toss to combine. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator while you make the feta.
• For the feta, prepare a dredging station. In a rimmed dish, add the flour. In a separate rimmed dish, whisk the egg with a splash of water. In a third separate dish, whisk together the breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper. Coat each chunk of feta in the flour and tap off the excess. Dunk in the beaten egg and then coat in the breadcrumbs, tapping off the excess.
• Heat a 1/4-inch layer of olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. (Test to see if it is hot enough by sprinkling a bit of breadcrumb in the oil. If it sizzles right away, it's ready.) Carefully place the breaded feta cubes in the oil and fry in batches for 90 seconds to 2 minutes on the first side, undisturbed. Flip and fry on the other side for another minute or so, or until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet and allow excess oil to drain. Repeat until all pieces are fried.
• To serve, slice open each pita and create a pocket. Schmear a big plop of hummus inside each one, followed by some arugula. Top with a pile of the Greek salad, a few chunks of the warm, fried feta, a dollop of yogurt and a few pieces of mint. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce, if desired.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the water, sugar and yeast just to dissolve. Add the oil and salt and then gradually add the flour. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 7 to 10 minutes, adding just enough additional flour so that the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not add too much flour. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. Lightly coat a clean large bowl with oil or cooking spray, then place the dough in the bowl and turn it once or twice to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
• Turn the dough onto a clean work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Mold each piece into a ball by stretching the top and tucking the edges under. Place the balls 1 inch apart on a piece of parchment paper, cover them with plastic wrap and let them rise for 30 minutes.
• Set an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• With a rolling pin, roll out the balls of dough into 6-inch circles. Place them on the baking sheets and bake for about 5 minutes, or until they're puffy and just starting to brown.

GREEK STYLE PORK PITA WRAPS

Steps:

• In a large zip top bag, combine lemon juice, oil, mustard, 1 1/4 tsp of the garlic, and the oregano.
• Add the pork loin, seal the bag, and turn to coat.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• In a bowl, combine the cucumber, yogurt, salt, dill, and remaining garlic.
• Cover and chill till serving time.
• Heat oven to 400°.
• Place pork in pan lined with foil, or sprayed with non stick spray.
• SAVE MARINADE.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then brush with remaining marinade.
• Bake for 15 minutes more, then check temperature with meat thermometer.
• Temp should be 160° (slightly pink).
• Bake longer if necessary.
• This is how I serve the meat in the pitas: split the pita so you have 2 rounds.
• Place some sliced pork in the center, top with yogurt sauce and green onions, and roll up.
• Or if you prefer, you can slice off the top of the pita, and put meat and sauce in to make a pocket.