
This recipe is a favorite of mine, and not only because it is so fresh-tasting and healthy. I also love it because I am 1/4 Greek. I know that's not much, but I'm more Greek than anything else (unless Texas counts as a nationality...), so that's the culture I've felt more or less connected to. I felt connected enough to my Greek side of the family that I even worked in a Greek restaurant in high school. Although the food we served was a lot less healthy, this still tastes Greek to me. This steak pita recipe has a healthy version of tzatziki sauce, which is yogurt-based instead of sour cream-based. Just remember when you're grocery shopping - yogurt is naturally slightly tart! When I was little, I thought "plain" yogurt was naturally vanilla-flavored.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 cucumber, diced
2 plum tomatoes
2 sliced green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves (optional
1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces cubed steak
4+ pieces of pita bread
Directions:
In a small bowl, mix yogurt with dill, garlic, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors blend. In another small bowl, mix cucumber with tomatoes, green onions, and mint (optional). Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Put steak in a separate shallow bowl and pour remaining lemon juice and oregano over steak. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Spray a nonstick saute pan with canola oil cooking spray. Remove steak from marinade, season with salt and pepper, and saute over medium-high heat for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your desired degree of doneness. Remove steak from skillet. Slice 1 side of each pita to open the pocket, being careful not to puncture the other side. Divide steak evenly among pitas and gently stuff into the pockets (if they have pockets). Top each steak pile with 1/4 of the cucumber mixture. Drizzle 1/4 of the yogurt mixture into each pocket and serve immediately.
I love the way the cucumber gives the tomato, green onion, and cucumber mix such a fresh taste. This is a perfect recipe for a summer dinner - filling, but not heavy, healthy, and refreshing.
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