Summer Salad Pita Pocket- Wholefood, Plant based.
Pita is a bread that is oven made using flour, yeast and is usually meant to be stuffed. Whole grain pita bread is a wonderful item that you can stock up on, as the choice of fillings is unlimited depending on the season and region where you live. These filled pita pockets make an effortless to go meal or boxed lunch, ad hence are on my favorite list.
*Whole- is the word you want to look for when you buy any bread to get maximum nutritional benefit. Breads made from processed grains are devoid of many phytonutrients, fiber and hence tend to increase blood glucose in a rapid fashion. ‘Multigrain’ alone on the label of a product doesn’t infer that it is made of whole grains.
Now, let’s move forward to the filling of a soft whole grain pita with healthy summer vibes. A handful variety of grilled veggies, along with fresh cucumber, dill add a good dose of plant food diversity to a summer salad. I used abundant corn along with asparagus, peppers, tomatoes from the grill. Feel free to mix in a rainbow of veggies that you prefer. Then bring on the zaatar spiced chickpeas to enhance the crunch as well as the fullness of each pita pocket once you eat it. (Plant protein and fiber loaded..!) Zaatar is a middle eastern spice mix with oregano/ thyme, cumin, coriander, sumac and it is totally recommended for this recipe. It is easily available is most grocery stores or even online on amazon.
Pairing it with plenty of hummus that is herby and oil free, brings everything together in terms of flavor, freshness and nutrition content. The recipe for the easiest and healthiest hummus with no processed ingredients can be found here https://myfoodbliss.com/no-oil-homemade-herby-hummus-wholefood-plant-based/
With all the right tones of sweetness, spice, smokiness along with colors, crunchy and creamy texture, nicely tucked into a soft pita pocket, is simply delicious and satisfying.
Summer Salad Pita pocket
Equipment
- stove top or outdoor grill
Ingredients
- 2 fresh corn cobs
- 1 bunch asparagus fresh
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 8 mini sweet peppers or can use two whole bell peppers
- 1/2 English cucumber diced
- 1 cup chickpeas
- 1/2 Tbsp Zaatar spice powder
- 1/2 Tbsp black pepper powder
- salt to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill chopped finely
Whole grain pita bread
No oil Herby home made Hummus – https://myfoodbliss.com/no-oil-homemade-herby-hummus-wholefood-plant-based/
Instructions
Preparing the filling
- First step is to grill the corn, asparagus, peppers and tomatoes. You can do that on stove top grilling pan or if you have left over veggies after outdoor grilling day this recipe is perfect for you. Once you grill the veggies, chop the asparagus into about 1.5 inch pieces. Cut the peppers into roughly 1/2 inch cubes. Take a knife and shave the grilled corn from the cob. Chop your cucumber and dill. In a mixing bowl, add the grilled asparagus, corn, peppers, tomatoes. Then add the cucumber pieces and dill. Take a small saute pan, and on medium heat add the chickpeas with few drops of water to saute. Add the zaatar spice to chickpeas. Once you see slight browning of the edges of chickpeas, take them off the stove and add to the mixing bowl. Then add salt, pepper per taste. Toss and mix the contents. The pita pocket filling is ready to go.No oil Herby home made hummus, on this blog is a great match for the pita pockets that will be made. So, if you plan on making hummus this is the time to do it . (It only takes 10 min).
Getting the Pita pockets together.
- Warm the pita bread and cut it in half. Gently separate each half to reveal the pocket. Slather it with hummus on both sides and then fill it generously with the salad made above. Add extra dollop of hummus on the top. Then take a blissful, crunchy bite that is made to fuel you in the right way.