Speedy “Cheats” Kebab

Ingredients

• 4 Pita breads (Regular; warmed)
• 2.5 cup Iceberg lettuce (Finely sliced; source gives 2–3 cups)
• 2 Lebanese cucumbers (Sliced)
• 2 Tomatoes (Sliced)
• 1 Red onion (Small; finely sliced)
• 1 tsp Sumac (Optional)
• Pickled onions (To serve)
• Lemon wedges (To serve)
• Tzatziki (Store-bought or homemade; to serve)
• Hot sauce (Optional; to serve and as a dipping sauce)
• 500 g Lean mince (Choose beef, lamb, or chicken)
• 1 Brown onion (Small; finely chopped or grated)
• 2 cloves Garlic (Crushed)
• 2 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Sweet paprika
• 1 tsp Ground coriander
• 1 tsp Garam masala
• 0.25 tsp Chilli powder (Optional)
• 0.5 bunch Fresh parsley (Finely chopped)
• Salt (To taste; season generously)
• Black pepper (To taste)
• Olive oil (For lightly greasing the sandwich press)

Steps

1. 1

   Finely slice the iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. If using sumac, toss it with the red onion in a small bowl and set aside.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine the mince, chopped or grated brown onion, crushed garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, garam masala, optional chilli powder, and parsley. Add salt and pepper generously, then mix until evenly combined. The author also suggests a pre-made spice blend or seasoning kit as a quicker alternative.

3. 3

   Warm the pita breads in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, just until slightly softened and easier to separate.

4. 4

   Carefully cut around the edge of each pita and gently peel the layers apart. If the breads are too thin to separate, leave them whole and press the mince directly onto the pita.

5. 5

   Divide the mince mixture into four portions. Spread one portion evenly over one pita layer, then place the second layer on top and press the layers together firmly. Repeat with the remaining pita and mince.

6. 6

   Lightly grease a sandwich press with olive oil. Cook each pita sandwich for around 5 minutes, or until golden and the mince is cooked through.

7. 7

   Let the cooked pita sandwiches cool slightly. Fill with the prepared salad, tzatziki, pickled onions, lemon wedges, and sauces of choice. Serve hot sauce as a dipping sauce if desired.

8. 8

   If making fewer portions, assemble any uncooked pita-and-mince sandwiches ahead of time and freeze until needed.

Notes

The source does not specify quantities for pickled onions, lemon wedges, tzatziki, hot sauce, salt, pepper, or greasing oil. It says uncooked assembled sandwiches can be frozen if serving fewer portions.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• quick
• sandwich-press
• Middle Eastern-inspired
• high-protein