Recently, I was in a rut when trying to find food options. I was almost too lazy to cook pasta because boiling takes so long (10 minutes) and you mostly stare at the bubbles and stir occasionally. Share this post with someone if you have the same struggles. Usually I like to have options that are quick and easy to make, so that I don’t quickly grab the nearest bag of processed snacks at a gas station convenience store.
Pita pockets are a great way to get in the daily vegetables while being able to enjoy delicious bread! Pita comes from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets. It is kind of similar to naan bread. I like that most countries seem to use it like a sandwich or wrap to make the food handheld. It can also be used for dipping one of my favorite mushy, pasty foods-HUMMUS! I love how bread and starches make me feel throughout the day and the addition of vegetables makes sure the carbs don’t weigh you down. In the name of making healthy choices in a pinch, here are a couple of ideas for what you can put in a pita pocket for a quick bite.
- Portobello mushroom
I was recently at a restaurant and I ordered a pita with portobello mushrooms and I realized how easy it would have been to make at home. The main ingredients were 1 large sliced portobello mushroom grilled with some balsamic vinaigrette (salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, olive oil), chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes and cucumber, onions and kalamata olives. You can drizzle any store bought Italian dressing over top and it is a delicious meal.
2. Hummus
I have seen quite a few restaurants make sandwiches with just hummus spread and I think it is genius. It has good fats to bring up the High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol and a ton of protein. One of my favorite flavors is jalapeno cilantro, there is a good one from Hope Organic. If you just want a snack I suppose you could just dip your pita in the hummus but for a meal I suggest adding sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts and some sliced red onions.
3. Veggies
If you just want veggies in your pita that is perfectly fine, I suggest sauteing some red bell pepper with onion. Maybe add a couple peppercini if you like the tart and spicy flavor. Of course the addition of lettuce, tomato and cucumber are a given. You could also add buffalo sauce like I used to do in college. A veggie pita is so versatile which gives you countless options like spinach, carrots, squash and more. Avocado is another great mix-in to add a variety of flavors and textures.
4. Fall
I was also introduced to a delicious pita that was inspired by fall. In this pita you can add pumpkin seeds or chopped almonds, dried cranberries, spinach, lettuce, onions and a grilled bell pepper. For added flavor, I would put some balsamic dressing with honey, curry powder and Dijon mustard. I found it very delightful.
5. Sweet potato
This one is for those who want to spend a little more time cooking their food. You’re going to have to use the oven with this one. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and put in some diced sweet potatoes on an oiled baking sheet. You can add salt and pepper to taste. Leave the potato cubes in the oven for 20-30 minutes. While that is in the oven you can chop some cucumbers. I like to douse the cucumbers in a little olive oil and vinegar with salt, pepper and garlic powder. You could even add a little cilantro. I would also wait until the potatoes are almost done to cut an avocado in half. Slice the avocado and stuff the pita pocket with all the contents.
If you don’t like these things in pita, you could always use tortillas or other bread-like things that make your food hand held. I hope you enjoyed the post. Leave a comment to share some of your favorite quick meals.
Also I am late to the train in knowing about how amazon now delivers groceries from a Whole Foods selection. This is kind of awesome because of how many varieties Whole Foods has in terms of organic produce. Check it out with the banner link below.