Greek Pita Spread Food

THE EASIEST HOMEMADE PITA BREAD RECIPE!

Steps:

• To prepare this pitta bread recipe add in a mixer's bowl the yeast, sugar and water and blend to dissolve the yeast. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until yeast froths.
• Add the flour and salt and mix using the dough hook for 6-8 minutes. Alternatively you could mix the ingredients by hand.
• Depending on the flour used, the dough may need a little bit less or more flour than this pita bread recipe calls for. After mixing for a while the dough for your pita bread should become an elastic ball and a bit sticky.
• When ready, coat the dough with olive oil, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let it sit in a warm place, for at least 20 minutes or until it doubles its size. This is an important step for this pita bread recipe. The first proof makes the pita bread fluffy and soft. If it is winter, turn the oven on for a minute or two, until it's a little warm, switch it off and then let the dough rise in it.
• Take the dough out of the bowl and gently deflate with your hands. Use just a tiny bit of flour to help you if it is too sticky. Split into 6 evenly sized balls around145g/ 5 oz. each.
• Let the pita bread balls rest for 15 minutes before shaping. This is the second proof and will allow your dough to relax and become easier to shape.
• To form the pita bread, you can either use a rolling pin, or stretch it with your hands, about 20cm in diameter. A rolling pin will make a crunchier pita, while hand stretching a softer, fluffier one. If the dough springs back, set it aside for a few minutes to rest and then continue rolling again.
• For a more traditional look on your pita bread, press the dough firmly with your fingertips forming dimples or use a fork to make some holes on top.
• , heat a non-sticking frying pan to medium heat and add just a little bit of olive oil and wipe off any excess. Bake each pita bread for about 3 minutes on each side, until slightly coloured and still soft. If your pan has a lid, place the lid on while baking them to keep the moisture in.
• use the steam method. Cut a piece of aluminium foil to the size of your pan. Generously sprinkle and spread some olive oil on it. Shape and place your pita on the foil. Pour a large glug of water in your plan over medium low heat - it should start steaming immediately! Place your pita immediately in it and cover with the lid. Let it steam for 12-15 minutes. Take it out, flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the foil.
• To give it more colour, when you flip your pita bread, push it lightly with a wooden spoon on the pan.

HOMEMADE GREEK PORK GYROS SOUVLAKI RECIPE

Steps:

• To prepare this souvlaki recipe start by preparing the pork gyros. Mix into a large bowl the tenderloin (cut into strips), the garlic, the red onion, 3-4 tbsp of olive oil, 1-2 tbsp of red wine vinegar, some thyme, some rosemary, and mix with your hands. Squeeze the ingredients together, so that all the flavours blend and add 1/2 tbsp of honey. Wrap the bowl and put it into the fridge. Leave the marinade in the fridge for at least 2 hours, before using it (ideally leave it over night).
• In a (very hot) large non-sticking pan, add the tenderloin along with the ingredients of the marinade, and sauté for 1 minute on each side, without stirring, until the meat is nicely coloured, crispy and tender inside.
• To prepare the tzatziki sauce for the pork gyros, pour in a food processor the olive oil and garlic and blend until the garlic is diluted (don't leave any large pieces of garlic). Into a large bowl, grate the cucumber, season with salt and pepper and leave it aside for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber into a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of most of the water. Into a bowl, add the cucumber, the blended garlic and oil, the yogurt, 1-2 of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and mix. (This recipe is for 5-6 servings. Store in the fridge and always serve cold.)
• Use a cooking brush to oil the pita breads on both sides and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Place a large pan (upside down) at the bottom of the oven, place the pita breads on top, and bake in preheated oven at 250C for about 1 minute.
• Pork gyros is usually served wrapped, like a sandwich. To serve, spread some tzatziki sauce on the pita breads and top with the pork gyros, some slices of red onion, some sliced tomato and wrap.
• For an easier version, you can substitute the tzatziki sauce with some fresh yogurt or some mustard and mayonnaise sauce.

GREEK LAYER DIP

Steps:

• For the pita chips. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice the pita in half through the pocket, then into chip-size triangles. Lay the pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush with the melted butter, then season with the sumac and some salt and pepper.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until browned and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet.
• For the dip: Combine the picante peppers, olives and red and yellow bell peppers in a small bowl. Season with the oregano and toss with the olive oil and vinegar.
• Spread half of the Baba Ghanoush on the bottom of a 10-inch square baking dish. Top with half of the pepper mixture. Top the pepper mixture with half of the Tzatziki. Repeat with the remaining Baba Ghanoush, pepper mixture and Tzatziki. Top with the tomatoes, feta and parsley. Sprinkle with the sumac and serve with the pita chips.
• Preheat the oven or a grill to 400 degrees F.
• Roast the eggplant, rotating once or twice during roasting, until soft, 30 to 45 minutes in the oven or 20 to 25 minutes on the grill. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let cool until cool enough to handle. Peel off the skin and discard.
• Combine the eggplant, mayonnaise, feta, garlic and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor. Blend, while streaming in the olive oil, until pureed and smooth. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate.
• Combine the yogurt, cucumber, dill, mint, lemon juice and salt in a bowl and refrigerate until serving time.

GREEK PITA SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and vinaigrette until blended. Spread onto a large serving plate or two pie plates. Layer with olives, tomatoes, onion, peppers, cucumber and cheese. Serve with pita breads.

GREEK LAYERED DIP WITH PITA CRISPS

Steps:

• The day before you want to serve the dip, take your yoghurt and put it into a mesh strainer you have lined with 3 or 4 coffee filters. (you may also line it with damp cheese cloth) Set the strainer in the sink and allow it to drain overnight. The whey will drip out of the yogurt, leaving a smooth, creamy cheese similar in texture to cream cheese or neufchatel. Stir in the red onion and minced chives and set aside.(Alternatively you can use 1 8-oz container of chives and onion cream cheese spread).
• Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, olive oil and lemon in a food processor. Process until almost smooth (You may need a few extra TBS of water or lemon juice to loosen it) Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Heat oven to 350*F. Carefully split each pita bread into 2 rounds. Cut each round into 6 wedges; brush with olive oil and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with garlic powder.
• Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Cool while making dip.
• In a 10 inch pie pan, spread the yoghurt cheese mixture. Drop small spoonfuls of chickpea mixture even over, spreading evenly. Top with remaining ingredients in order listed.
• Serve with pita crisps.
• Note: to make ahead, dip can be refrigerated up to 2 hours.

GREEK PITAS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, dill and seasoned salt; cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight. , Combine the oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano and thyme in large bowl; add pork. Turn to coat; cover. Refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight, turning occasionally., Drain pork, discarding marinade. In a large skillet, stir-fry pork until browned, about 4 minutes. Stuff into pita halves; top with cucumber sauce, tomato and onion.

GREEK FETA CHEESE SPREAD (HTIPITI)

Steps:

• In food processor, combine cheese, oil, lemon juice, garlic, green onions, tomatoes and red peppers.
• Blend well to form a nice smooth paste.
• If too thick, thin with a little more oil.
• Serve with pita bread, crackers or crusty bread.