Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Homemade Pitas from the Archives


The other day I was driving behind a garbage truck for about a short distance and was horrified to watch the amount of trash fly out the back. One huge cardboard box here, some dirty wrappers there, and an icky looking mass of garbage-goo ended things before I quickly turned off on a side street to avoid anything hitting my windshield.

I don't often drive behind garbage trucks, but it caused me to wonder how often garbage truck mishaps contribute to our streets' and highways' litter . Though I could face fines of $500 for littering, what happens when one garbage truck emits more litter in 5 minutes than could fit in a grocery bag? Doesn't the driver see all of the debris flying out of his truck? Hasn't garbage technology improved to address fly-away trash issues? If any of you happen to have knowledge of the industry, I'd love to know.

Well, enough about trash. I'm sure that doesn't make any of you hungry. What should make you hungry is the thought of fluffy, homemade pitas.

I spotted these awhile ago on Brown Eyed Baker and nearly forgot about how much I wanted them until Elle decided to give them a go. After seeing Elle's fluffy pillows of goodness I couldn't resist. Well, I forgot I even made these & took photos until I started going through my old files. Oh, often forgotten pitas, I have not forsaken you! You're delicious! ...though time consuming!

These guys require quite a lot of rise time, but other than that they're easy to make. You'll be hard pressed to find store bought pitas that are as fluffy and fresh as these so try 'em out.

We ate the pitas the first night with Chicken Shawarma and Tahini Sauce from Cooking Light.

The next day, I used the leftover chicken and added peas, chopped up red bell pepper, onions and sauteed mushrooms to make stuffed pita sandwiches. Topped with Trader Joe's absolutely amazing Cucumber Tzatziki sauce, I was in leftover heaven.

Homemade Pitas from Brown Eyed Baker served with Chicken Shawarma with Tahini Sauce
adapted from Cooking Light
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon tumeric powder
2 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 16 (3-inch) strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Sauce:
1/2 cup plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons tahini paste
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

1. To prepare chicken marinade, combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl (lemon juice through garlic cloves). Add chicken to bowl; toss well to coat. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes.
3. To prepare sauce, combine yogurt and next 4 ingredients (through 1 garlic clove), stirring with a whisk.
4. Over medium high heat, heat oil until glistening. Add chicken and saute until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Add peppers and cook 2 minutes. Add peas and mushrooms and cook until all vegetables are cooked through.
5. Either cut a pocket in homemade pitas or place mixture on top of pita for a wrap. Serve with tahini sauce or Trader Joe's Cucumber Tzatziki sauce.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't even get me started on the Garbage Man guy...I don't know if you ever read my post on the garbage man on my street but here it is...

http://noblepig.com/2008/08/09/the-garbage-man-and-a-weiner.aspx

We obviously feel the same way!

Your pita's are beautiful!

Leslie said...

mmmmmm..tasty! not the garbage..the pitas!!LOL

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Eeek, scary about the garbage flying - definitely a hazard!!

Great-looking pita dishes!

Laura said...

It's funny you mention the garbage truck thing--I was just noticing yesterday how now that I live in a nice suburban small town neighborhood (and on a golf course) the truck gets ALL of my garbage. Whereas when I lived on a rural route (which I will be returning to), they are totally half-a$$ed about it, and I always founds bits of garbage strewn in my yard after the pick up. SO annoying.

I am off to check out that pita recipe--yours look amazing!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Wow, that looks great. I will have to make ptas soon.

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Look at those pockets of goodness! It almost mede me forget the garbage story!

alexandra's kitchen said...

what fun! I have a recipe for homemade pita that has been sitting in my bread file for months (years). I am going to give these a try. they look wonderful!

LucyinStLou said...

Homemade pitas? Oh my I hadn't thought of this before. I can't wait to try it.

kat said...

I really want to try making my own as well. I understand we can do it with the same dough we make crackers with for the Daring Bakers

Pam said...

I just bought pitas from the store and now I am bummed. I will definitely try your recipe next time.

Anonymous said...

Seriously Sharon, I am going to try this. We buy them all the time at Traders and they are fine but these look amazing.

--Marc

Maria said...

I love making pitas! It is so fun watching them Puff in the oven! Yours look great!

grace said...

they're so fluffy! going from garbage to pitas is quite a broad jump, but it's one that i'll gladly make. :)

FROGGITY! said...

yum! your blog seriously rocks. i see recipes left and right that i will be trying out! i don't know if mine will be as beautiful looking as yours are, but i will sure try! :)

Sophie said...

Lol for some reason (probably from lack of sleep) I read your title and thought it said 'from the anchovies'! My goodness! :) Pitas -- now I've gotta try making those!

That Girl said...

Well that explains the crazy mess that is the Southern California freeway. I always wonder how those couches, suitcases, and mounds of clothing end up in the middle.

Emily said...

AHHH! Those pitas look incredible! I've never made my own pita bread. It looks a little more fluffier, which I think I would enjoy. Sometimes pita bread is like a cracker.

AND I love tzatziki. Oh gosh.

Also, that makes me sick about the garbage.

Jessy and her dog Winnie said...

Fantastic!!! I have made pita bread before, its awesome!

Anonymous said...

So glad you enjoyed these, and your stuffed pitas look freaking fabulous!

Elle said...

I always get stuck behind garbage trucks. yuuuck! Your pitas look amazing, and so do the fillings!

Boyd Team said...

My mouth is watering Sharon! I never thought of making homemade pita bread. I'll have to give it a try.