This is normally the part of the post where we throw in a funny story or charm you with our witty commentary, but I don’t have time for that tonight! I’ve got a cranky baby and kids up way too late so we’re just gonna start cooking. Okay? Okay! So I have a few quick and easy dinner ideas up my sleeve because it seems like this time of year people like to avoid the oven. This one just involves a quick saute for the meat and the rest is tossed together cold.
The great thing is that this whole meal can be made in less than 30 minutes. Maybe even less than 20. You don’t need to marinate the meat for long. Since it’s sliced thin it picks up the strong flavors of lemon and garlic super fast. I’m using pork here because I have some to be used up, but chicken or even steak works great too.
Just slice it thin and mix it up with a little olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Do this step first so it can sit for a few minutes while you prep the rest.
The easy sauce is made with Greek Yogurt. How long has Yoplait been making Greek yogurt? I’ve never noticed their brand until this past grocery trip. That’s a good thing since sometimes well known brands of Greek Yogurt can be hard to find. Greek style yogurt is thicker than normal and it also packs in more protein. It’s the same thing used in Kate’s Greek Tzatziki sauce. You could easily substitute regular plain yogurt, or if you have time just place a few paper towels in a fine mesh strainer and let regular plain yogurt sit overnight in the fridge. By morning liquid will have drained out leaving you with a thicker Greek style yogurt.
For this quick sauce, just toss in some lemon zest, kosher salt, and parsley (either fresh or dry).
The last component is a quick dice of tomato, cucumber and red onion. Kind of like a Greek Pico de Gallo! I like to keep both this and the yogurt sauce in the fridge until right before serving because it’s so good when it’s chilled.
To put it all together, you’ll just saute your chicken or pork and stuff it in a pita pocket with a lettuce leaf and the cucumber mixture. Top it off with a drizzle of yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of feta cheese you’re good to go. This is a super lean and super fast meal that’s actually satisfying!
Greek Style Pita Sandwiches
Recipe by Our Best Bites
12 oz boneless pork loin chops, or boneless skinless chicken, sliced into 1/4″ slices
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C diced cucumber
2 Tablespoons diced red onion
6 Tablespoons Greek Style Yogurt
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 Tablespoon fresh minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 Lettuce leaves
4 pita bread halves
2-3 Tbs crumbled Athenos Feta cheese
Combine pork, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish and set aside. Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. While pan is heating, combine Greek yogurt, lemon zest, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt and set in fridge to chill. Add pork mixture to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and then remove from heat. Combine tomato, cucumber, and red onion. Too assemble, place one lettuce leaf in each pita. Divide pork mixture between pitas, add cucumber and tomato mixture and then top with yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of feta.
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C diced cucumber
2 Tablespoons diced red onion
6 Tablespoons Greek Style Yogurt
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 Tablespoon fresh minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 Lettuce leaves
4 pita bread halves
2-3 Tbs crumbled Athenos Feta cheese
Combine pork, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish and set aside. Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. While pan is heating, combine Greek yogurt, lemon zest, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt and set in fridge to chill. Add pork mixture to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork is cooked through and then remove from heat. Combine tomato, cucumber, and red onion. Too assemble, place one lettuce leaf in each pita. Divide pork mixture between pitas, add cucumber and tomato mixture and then top with yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of feta.