Cook & Uncork February 25th, 2021 - Mediterranean Chicken Pitas
Exciting things happening here at A Toast For Taste! Who’s cooking & sipping with us next time? Join me for some good, mostly healthy eats + Clean Crafted Wine!
So good I had to take the first bite before remembering to snap a pretty photo! Didn’t even add some extra dill for aesthetic! That’s when you know it’s G O O D. We whipped up these Mediterranean Chicken Pitas during Cook & Uncork & they did not disappoint (peter gave a major thumbs up)! These are so fun & easy to make + always a fun idea to set up a BYOP for friends! (Build your own pita, duh). Cheers to cooking with friends & FIRST EVER Cook & Uncork 🥂
Cook & Uncork:
For all of you that joined, the first Cook & Uncork was a blast! I can’t wait to continue this little cooking series that allows me to share things that I love & my passion for cooking with you! Healthy food + guilt free wine with no junk? My HEAVEN!
The first event was kicked off with Mediterranean Chicken Pitas & paired perfectly with a beautiful Clean Crafted bottle of Entico Pinot Noir. The two of these together were an unbeatable combination between the delicious chicken meatballs, a salty feta crumble and notes of black cherry to balance it all out.
Why only pay attention to the food in your body when we can pair the good stuff? Join us next time, grocery lists & wine pairings sent in advance, EVERY time! Get a glass, pour one out, and meet me in the kitchen!
Ingredients Needed:
1 lb ground chicken - Perdue is a great option in the regular grocery store or I also buy this at Trader Joes. Butcher counter is a great option, too!
Pita Bread or Naan (1 per person, usually come in 4 packs) - either one works! These are in the bread section or the deli counter. Stonefire is a great brand for Naan, there are likely different options for pita!
1 Small Container of Crumbled Feta
Bread Crumbs / Panko - only need about 1/4 cup!
Tomatoes - I use sliced roma, but grape or cherry tomatoes are perfect!
1 Cucumber
1 Small Red Onion
Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce - you can buy pre shredded!
1 Single Serve Plain Yogurt (mine is greek!)
2 Lemons
Fresh Dill - If you don't do dill, no worries! Skip it or grab a small bunch of parsley!
**Optional! - Plain Hummus & Kalamata Olives
Cheers! Can’t wait to cook & sip with you next time!
More about Clean Crafted Wine? Check it out!
Complete your meal with this incredible Clean Crafted Pinot Noir - goes well with chicken dishes & hard or salty cheese. The perfect guilt free duo!
How To:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees & line or grease a baking sheet or dish
chop red onion into small pieces, slice 1/2 of the cucumber into discs, the other half into small cubes, slice tomato into thin slices, chop lettuce (small pieces, this is to top the pita!)
In a large bowl add: Ground chicken, about 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/4 cup of panko or breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup crumbled feta, 3-4 sprigs of dill (chopped) **or parsley, sprinkle of garlic powder (I go heavy on this!), red pepper flakes (if you like spicy, add more!), sprinkle of paprika, sprinkle of salt + lots of fresh pepper, juice of 1/2 lemon
Put some oil or spray on your hands, mix thoroughly & start rolling! They should be just big enough to fit in the palm of your hand (you will want to fit 2-3 on your pitas! You should get about 12 out of the mixture! Place on the lined or greased sheet with space in between so they can crisp!
Place in the oven for 15 minutes, then flip & put them back in for 7-9 (if they are golden
While meatballs cook, make your tzatziki, in a small bowl add the below & mix! Taste and add more of what you love. 1 cup greek yogurt, 1/4 cup chopped cucumbers, 2-3 sprigs of dill, sprinkle of garlic powder, 1 tbsp or so olive oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, salt & pepper
Remove meatballs from the oven
Drizzle pitas with olive oil & place on the grate in the oven at 400 for 1-2 mins each site to make pliable and golden the outside
Build your pita! I start with hummus, 2-3 meatballs, cucumber & tomato, extra red onion (optional!), feta cheese, tzatziki, olives
Enjoy!