Merciful God, You are great in compassion and Your tenderness for us is without measure. We ask You to give us today our daily bread, and also provide for the needs of all of Your hungry children around the world. Through Christ Your Son and Our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Mediterranean Veggie Pita


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I've mentioned a few times that I'm trying to copycat some of the sandwiches served at Panera. They have some good combos and some really good breads, and since my gang likes a yummy, big sandwich for dinner once a week, this copycatting is paying off. The latest is a Mediterranean Veggie Pita. Panera's Veggie sandwich is not a pita, but I decided that I want ours to be served on a pita. And since I'm the chef... Panera's sandwich is served on a Basil bread, and its ingredients include Peppadew peppers, which I have not been able to find in the store. Other than that I've think I've got it.

This recipe is a delicious and nutritious and low-fat and inexpensive sandwich that I could easily eat three times a week. The ingredients are versatile, other than the hummus, which I feel is pretty crucial, so you can add whatever veggies you want, and if you don't have feta cheese, it will still taste great. A can of chickpeas is less than a buck and if you don't want to buy tahini (it's a little pricey), you can still make great hummus. The first time I made these I used Annie's recipe for Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus. It was good, but the second time I made them, I used basic hummus and with the addition of the other veggies it's a negligible difference. So I'll save the time and make the basic. The Jalapeno Cilantro variety would be good with just plain veggies for dipping.

I am including the quantities of veggies I used, but like I said, this is a versatile sandwich so just use what you like.



Mediterranean Veggie Pita
serves 6

6 pita breads -- large (I used these)
one recipe hummus (below)
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce (good crunch!)
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1 cup sliced cucumbers
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 red, yellow or orange pepper, sliced in thin strips
1/2 cup feta cheese

Warm pita breads in a skillet (do not crisp) or in the micro.
Spread one half with several tablespoons hummus.
layer cucumbers, onion, peppers, tomato and lettuce.
Sprinkle with a tablespoon feta cheese.
Fold over and enjoy.
These are a little messy -- just hold over and stuff it in!

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Hummus

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
1 clove garlic
2 T. tahini (optional)
juice of one fresh lemon
about 1/4 cup olive oil (I use light tasting for the kids)
salt

Place beans and garlic in food processor.
Pulse for 30 seconds.
Add tahini and lemon juice and process for about a minute.
With machine running,
slowly stream in oil until hummus is a good creamy consistency.
Salt to taste.


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3 comments:

said...

The only place around here that we can get Pepperdews is either at Cash and Carry (in a gynormous quantity) or at Costco (in a just slightly smaller gynormous quantity). They are really tasty, but a few go a long way.

Jessica Gordon said...

The girls and I made this tonight, to finish up "H" week and it was DELICIOUS!! I used Pita Pockets, but sure wish I could have found some flat bread, since I prefer it, but they were still super yummy. Thanks!

Jessica Gordon said...

Oh and we did leave off the feta, since none of us really care for it here. =)