Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of the Mediterranean with our delectable breakfast pitas. Inspired by the rich flavors and wholesome ingredients of this region, these pitas offer a symphony of tastes and textures that will tantalize your palate. From the classic Greek pita with its fluffy pita bread and savory fillings to the hearty Turkish menemen with its eggs poached in a flavorful tomato sauce, each recipe captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Delight in the freshness of the Greek salad pita, bursting with crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. Experience the vibrant flavors of the shakshuka pita, where eggs are baked in a spicy tomato sauce, topped with creamy labneh and fresh herbs. And don't miss the unique flavors of the falafel pita, featuring crispy chickpea balls nestled in a warm pita pocket, accompanied by a refreshing tahini sauce. These breakfast pitas are not just a culinary treat but also a testament to the diverse and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HOMEMADE PITA BREAD RECIPE
My family's authentic, fool-proof pita bread recipe is easy to make and requires a few ingredients you may already have on hand! Mix up the very simple dough, let it rise, and experience the magic of fresh, warm, perfectly puffy homemade pita bread. Baking and stovetop instructions included!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Pita Bread
Time 1h48m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl add 1 cup lukewarm water and stir in yeast and sugar until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup flour and whisk together. Place the mixing bowl in a warm place, uncovered to form a lose sponge. Give it 15 minutes or so, the mixture should bubble.
- Now add salt, olive oil and almost all the remaining flour (keep about 1/2 cup of the flour for dusting later). Stir until mixture forms a shaggy mass (at this point, the dough has little to no gluten development and just looks like a sticky mess and you can easily pull bits off). Dust with a little flour, then knead the mixture inside the bowl for about a minute to incorporate any stray bits.
- Dust a clean working surface with just a little bit of flour. Knead lightly for a couple minutes or so until smooth. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then knead again for a couple more minutes. The dough should be a little bit moist, you can help it with a little dusting of flour, but be careful not to add too much flour.
- Clean the mixing bowl and coat it lightly with extra virgin olive oil and put the dough back in the bowl. Turn the dough a couple times in the bowl to coat with the olive oil. Cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap then lay a kitchen towel over. Put the bowl in a warm place. Leave it alone for 1 hour or until the dough rises to double its size.
- Deflate the dough and place it on a clean work surface. Divide the dough into 7 to 8 equal pieces and shape them into balls. Cover with a towel and leave them for 10 minutes or so to rest.
- Using a floured rolling pin, roll one of the pieces into a circle that's 8-9 inches wide and about a quarter inch thick. It helps to lift and turn the dough frequently as you roll so that dough doesn't stick to your counter too much. (If dough starts to stick, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour). If the dough starts to spring back, set it aside to rest for a few minutes, then continue rolling. Repeat with the other pieces of dough. (Once you get going, you can be cooking one pita while rolling another, if you like). You have two options for baking the pita from here.
- Heat the oven to 475 degrees F and place a heavy-duty baking pan or large cast iron skillet on the middle rack to heat. Working in batches, place the rolled-out pitas directly on the hot baking baking sheet (I was only able to fit 2 at a time). Bake for 2 minutes on one side, and then, using a pair of tongs, carefully turn pita over to bake for 1 minute on the other side. The pita will puff nicely and should be ready. Remove from the oven and cover the baked pitas with a clean towel while you work on the rest of the pitas.
- To cook pita on stovetop: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. (Test by adding a couple drops of water to the skillet, the skillet is ready when the beads of water sizzle immediately). Drizzle a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil and wipe off any excess. Working with one pita at a time, lay a rolled-out pita on the skillet and bake for 30 seconds, until bubbles start to form. Using a spatula, flip the pita over and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side, until large toasted spots appear on the underside. Flip again and cook another 1-2 minutes to toast the other side. The pita is ready when it puffs up forming a pocket (sometimes, with this method, the pita may not puff or may only form a small pocket. Try pressing the surface of the pita gently with a clean towel). Keep baked pita covered with a clean towel while you work on the rest.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 whole pita, Calories 205 calories, Sugar 0.4 g, Sodium 1.6 mg, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
MEDITERRANEAN BREAKFAST PITAS
"These pretty low-fat pitas, made with egg substitute, are great for any time of day, not just breakfast," nots Josie-Lynn Belmont of Woodbine, Georgia. They're full of flavor and healthy ingredients.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Breakfast Brunch Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and stir red pepper and onion over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the egg substitute, salt and pepper; cook and stir until set., Combine the tomato, spinach and basil; spoon onto pitas. Top with egg mixture and sprinkle with feta cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 267 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 798mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE PITAS
Craving a fast and healthy meal? This one packs tomato, cucumber, onion and olives. Add a touch of cayenne for a punch. -Ivy Abbadessa, Loxahatchee, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 354 calories, Fat 19g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 580mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right pita bread: Look for fresh, high-quality pita bread that is soft and fluffy. You can find pita bread in most grocery stores or Middle Eastern bakeries.
- Make sure your ingredients are fresh: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste of your Mediterranean breakfast pitas. Use fresh, ripe vegetables and herbs, and choose high-quality cheese and meat.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors: There are many different ways to make Mediterranean breakfast pitas, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. Try adding different herbs, spices, or vegetables to your pitas, or try using different types of cheese or meat.
- Serve your pitas warm: Mediterranean breakfast pitas are best served warm, so make sure to heat them up before serving. You can heat them up in the oven, toaster, or microwave.
Conclusion:
Mediterranean breakfast pitas are a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast or lunch option. They are packed with fresh, healthy ingredients and are sure to please everyone at the table. With so many different variations to choose from, you can easily find a Mediterranean breakfast pita that you will love.
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