Pita Pockets Recipes

THE SOFTEST PITA POCKET RECIPE: THE OVEN METHOD

Steps:

• Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a tabletop mixer that is fitted with the dough hook attachment, add all of the wet ingredients except for the olive oil. Allow the yeast to activate for 8 minutes. As soon as a puffy cloud forms at the top of the mixture, the yeast is active.
• Add the olive oil along with all of the dry ingredients and knead on low speed for 12 minutes.
• Lightly grease a large bowl with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and transfer the dough to the bowl. Toss to coat in oil and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in the warmest room of your home to rise until doubled in volume. About 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 525 °F, 270 °C.
• Cut the dough into 10 equal portions.
• Lightly flour your work surface and roll each portion of dough out into about 6-7-inch circles. Keep their thickness even. Use as much flour as needed to roll them out evenly.
• Line 3 baking trays with parchment paper and sprinkle some semolina flour on top if desired.
• Place 3 pitas on each baking tray.
• Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rise for 30 minutes.
• Bake the trays in the preheated oven for approximately 4 minutes or until the pockets are formed.
• Transfer the pitas to a plate and serve immediately.
• Leftover pitas can be stored in an airtight bag or container and kept in the freezer or the refrigerator until ready to use.

VEGGIE-STACK PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine the chickpeas, water, cheese, lemon juice, salt and red pepper flakes in a food processor and puree until completely smooth, about 5 minutes. While the motor is running, pour in the olive oil and process until fully incorporated and velvety. Season with pepper, to taste.
• Spoon a scant tablespoon bean spread into toasted pitas. (Put remaining bean spread in an air-tight container.) Add avocado and cucumber slices, or other vegetables of choice and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Wrap in parchment or butcher paper, and pack in a plastic container to keep from getting squished. Pack in a lunch box and send to school.

MEDITERRANEAN PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, parsley, hot sauce, cumin, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Slice the top off of each pita pocket. Fill each pocket with 2 slices of brisket, a quarter of the pickled cucumbers and drizzle with the yogurt mixture. Arrange on a serving platter and serve.

CHICKEN PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix oil, thyme, paprika, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt until blended. Add chicken; toss to coat. Let stand 10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, mayonnaise and remaining salt; spoon into pita halves. Place chicken on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from heat 3-4 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Fill pitas with chicken strips.

PITA PIZZA POCKETS 4 WAYS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Make the pepperoni pita pizza: Cut the pita in half crosswise to form 2 pockets and fill each pocket with 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce, ¼ cup (25 G) shredded mozzarella, and 6 pepperoni. Place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Make the Hawaiian pita pizza: Cut the pita in half crosswise to form 2 pockets and fill each pocket with 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce, ¼ cup (25 G) shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons pineapple, and 2 tablespoons Canadian bacon. Place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Make the veggie supreme pita pizza: Cut the pita in half crosswise to form 2 pockets and fill each pocket with 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce, ¼ cup (25 G) shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons mushrooms, 2 tablespoons green pepper, and 1 tablespoon olives. Place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Make the BBQ chicken pita pizza: Cut the pita in half crosswise to form 2 pockets and fill each pocket with 2 tablespoons of barbeque sauce, ¼ cup (25 G) shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons diced chicken, and 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeños. Place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Bake the pita pizzas for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
• Enjoy!

CHEF JOHN'S PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Place yeast into the work bowl of a stand mixer and add 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour. Whisk together and let stand 15 to 20 minutes for mixture to rise and make a loose sponge. Mixture will bubble and foam.
• Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt into sponge; add 1 3/4 cup flour. Mix at low speed, using a dough hook attachment, until dough is soft, supple, and slightly sticky. If dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add up to 1/4 cup more flour, a little at a time.
• Knead dough with machine on low speed until slightly springy and still soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and form into a ball.
• Wipe inside of bowl with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Turn dough around in bowl to cover with a thin film of oil; cover bowl with foil and let sit until dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut dough into 8 pieces.
• Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top, pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.
• Cover dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a work surface and top of a dough ball; gently pat dough ball flat with your fingers, forming a flat, round bread about 1/4 inch thick. Let dough round rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough balls.
• Brush a cast-iron skillet with remaining 3/4 teaspoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay pita bread into hot skillet and cook until bread begins to puff up and bottom has brown spots and blisters, about 3 minutes. Flip, cook 2 more minutes, and flip back onto original side to cook for about 30 more seconds. Pita bread will begin to puff up and fill with hot air. Stack cooked breads on a plate; when cool enough to handle, break breads in half and open the pocket inside for stuffing.

BREAKFAST PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Place bacon, sausage, and Canadian-style bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat. Fry until evenly brown; drain. Crumble bacon, and chop sausage.
• Mix eggs into the skillet, and scramble with the bacon and sausage until no longer runny.
• Place pita bread in a microwave, and heat on High about 30 seconds, until warm. Spoon the egg mixture into the pita bread halves, and serve warm.

MEATBALL PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Cover and marinate in refrigerator a few hours or overnight.
• In a small bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, milk, the 2 tbsp onion, allspice and pepper to taste. Add beef and pork and mix well. Shape into 24 meatballs.
• Place meatballs in a baking dish in a single layer. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes or till done. Drain well on paper toweling.
• To assemble sandwiches, place 3 meatballs into each pita bread half. Top with some of the cucumber and tomato mixture and a little of the marinating liquid.