Mediterranean Pita Bread Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the first six ingredients until blended; if desired, stir in cayenne. Add tomato, cucumber, onion and olives; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., To serve, add lettuce to vegetables; toss to combine. Spoon into pita halves; sprinkle with cheese.

Steps:

• Make the dough:In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, yeast, honey, and 1 cup warm water until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes. Stir in remaining 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, oil, and remaining 1 1/4 cups warm water.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface. Knead dough, dusting hands and surface with more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic, 10 minutes. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise again until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Form and bake the dough:Punch down dough, and form into a ball; then turn out onto a floured surface.
• Quarter dough. Working with one piece at a time (drape a kitchen towel over the rest), divide each quarter into 4 smaller pieces.
• Roll each piece into a ball and pinch, tightening the ball. Turn pinched-side down and flatten with your palm.
• Flatten each ball into a 6-inch round with a lightly floured rolling pin.
• Transfer rounds to rimmed baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal; drape with kitchen towels. Let rest 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 500 degrees and set an inverted rimmed baking sheet on rack in lowest position. Place 4 dough rounds on preheated sheet. Bake until puffed, 2 minutes. Flip and bake until golden in spots and just cooked through, 1 minute more. Transfer to a basket lined with a kitchen towel; cover to steam and keep warm. Bake remaining pitas and serve.

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl soften yeast in warm water.
• Add 2 cups flour, shortening and salt.
• Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping bowl.
• Beat 3 minutes on medium.
• Stir in as much remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.
• Turn onto a lightly floured work surface.
• Knead in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough that is smooth and elastic.
• Cover, and let rest in a warm place about 15 minutes.
• Divide into 12 equal portions.
• Roll each piece with floured hands into a smooth ball.
• Cover with a damp cloth, let rest 10 minutes.
• Using fingers, flatten balls.
• Cover, let rest 10 minutes.
• On a well floured surface lightly roll one piece of dough at a time into a circle 6 inches in diameter, turning dough over once.
• Do not puncture or tear dough.
• (Work with enough flour so dough does not stick) Place on baking sheet.
• Bake one sheet at a time, in a 450 F oven about 3 minutes or until dough is puffed and softly set.
• Turn with a spatula, and bake 2 more minutes until dough is light brown.
• Repeat with remaining dough, baking one batch before uncovering and rolling the next.
• To serve, slice bread crosswise and fill the pockets with a filling or cut into wedges and pan fry to a crisp for dipping.

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, yogurt, cucumber,lemon juice, 2 minced garlic clove, feta, pepper to taste;.
• 3. Wrap pitas in foil and Place in oven; bake until warm and pliable, 5 minutes. Cut in half.
• 4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high heat saute onion until golden brown. Add meat, oregano and remaining minced garlic; continue to saute for about 2 minutes.
• To serve first fill pitas with lettuce, followed by meat, tomatoes and cucumber sauce.