Round 2 Recipe Pita Pile On With Spicy Yogurt Sauce

ROUND 2 RECIPES -BEEF KEBOB PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and spray pan with nonstick cooking spray. Grill kebabs 3 minutes per side until medium-rare.
• In a small bowl combine cucumbers and leftover reserved yogurt marinade.
• Slice the top off the pita pockets. Fill the pockets with the beef, couscous and yogurt cucumber mixture. Place on serving dishes and serve.
• In a large bowl whisk together canola oil, garlic, yogurt, cumin, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Reserve half the marinade, in a covered bowl, and refrigerate. Add beef cubes to remaining marinade, cover and refrigerate for anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.
• Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium high heat. Be sure to oil the grill surface before grilling the kebabs.
• Thread beef cubes and onion pieces onto skewers, alternating 3 pieces of beef and onion per skewer. Set aside extra beef cubes. Place skewers on the grill pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
• Place kebabs on a serving platter along with Spicy Couscous. Drizzle with some of the reserved marinade and serve.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Saute garlic with red pepper flakes for 2 minutes being careful not to burn garlic. Add the chicken broth, turn up heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from the heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and fluff with fork. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

SPICY YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Saute the onions and chiles in the oil until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and saute for a minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the tomato and flour and cook for 2 minutes. Finally, stir in the yogurt. Heat the sauce thoroughly, but do not allow it to boil or the yogurt will curdle. Add salt to taste and serve

ROUND 2 RECIPE - RICE CAKES WITH CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the rice cakes: In a bowl, combine the rice, breadcrumbs, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Mix together until well until incorporated. Take 1/4 cup of the rice mixture and form into 1/2-inch thick patty. Set aside while you form the other 3 patties.
• In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the oil. When it is hot, fry the rice cakes in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a brown paper bag.
• For the creamy cilantro sauce: In the bowl of a food processor, add the cilantro, vinegar, garlic, and sour cream and process to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve the rice cakes with a dollop of the Creamy Cilantro Sauce.

SPICED YOGURT DIP WITH PITA AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Lightly crush cardamom pods with your thumb, then remove seeds, discarding husks. Toast cardamom, caraway seeds, and peppercorns in a dry small heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant and a shade darker, then cool. Grind spice mixture to a powder in grinder. Purée cilantro with spice mixture, garlic, chile, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon oil in a blender until smooth (add remaining tablespoon water if necessary). Stir purée into yogurt and season with salt.
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Split pitas to make 8 rounds. Stir together butter, salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl, then lightly brush on rough sides of pitas. Cut pitas into 1/2-inch-wide strips and arrange in 1 layer on 2 baking sheets. Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes total. Transfer toasts to a rack to cool.3Serve dip with toasts and bell peppers.