What Are Fillings for Pita Bread?
Pita, a flatbread with a pocket in the middle, is traditionally used to make sandwiches that contain grilled meat, falafel or hummus. Some people enjoy using pita bread for dipping in tasty condiments and dips. However, you can fill your pita with non-traditional fillings if desired. Does this Spark an idea?
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Falafel
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Falafel and pita serve as a traditional vegetarian meal. Falafel consists of ground chickpeas mixed with spices and is deep fried into small balls. Some falafel contain egg or wheat flour, but you can omit these items in homemade falafel if that better suits your dietary needs. Because it is deep-fried, falafel is high in fat compared to some other pita fillings, but they provide a high amount of fiber and a moderate amount of protein. Many falafel pitas contain tahini, or yogurt-based dressing, to add extra flavor and moisture.
Hummus
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Another food made from garbanzo beans, hummus consists of a mixture of tahini and garbanzo beans. Most commercial hummus contains some amount of oil in place of the traditional recipe that consists of only beans and tahini. Hummus is typically served as a condiment and can be spread over any grain or sandwich, or used as a dip with crackers and fresh vegetables. Many varieties of hummus, from garlic to tomato basil, exist in stores and hummus pairs well with most savory herbs and spices. A hummus pita typically contains extra vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions, to give it additional flavor and texture.
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Traditional Meat Fillings
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Many Mediterranean stores that sell pita bread sandwiches provide the option of pairing your pita with grilled meat. Though the gyro is more commonly a meat sandwich, most gyro sandwiches can be made with pita instead of the traditional pita flat bread. To make a sandwich at home, brown a small amount of ground meat in a pan and place it in your pita. Because pita is a flimsy bread, you must avoid over-packing it with moist ingredients. You may wish to add additional condiments such as vegetables and dressing.
Non-traditional Fillings
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Add refried beans to a pita to make a unique cross between Mediterranean and Mexican food. You may wish to add salsa or guacamole to this sandwich for extra taste. Fill the sandwich with cous-cous, rice-pilaf or quinoa. Add grilled or raw vegetables to your pita to give your sandwich extra nutrition. Make a grilled cheese pita with your favorite dairy or non-dairy cheese, or turn your pita into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Fill your pita with a vegetarian or traditional burger and add ketchup and fries to the pita for a unique sandwich.
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References
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