Saucy Portobello Pitas

Name: Saucy Portobello Pitas
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: CUCUMBER SAUCE:; 1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat plain yogurt; 1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber; 1/4 to 1/3 cup minced fresh mint; 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; PITAS:; 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon Greek seasoning; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 8 pita pocket halves, warmed; 8 thin slices red onion, separated into rings; 8 slices tomato

Portobello mushrooms replace spicy ground lamb in this healthier version of a gyro. The meat-free sandwich is served with the refreshing cucumber-mint yogurt sauce of the Greek classic. —Lisa Hundley, Aberdeen, North Carolina

Ingredients

CUCUMBER SAUCE:
1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber
1/4 to 1/3 cup minced fresh mint
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
PITAS:
4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Greek seasoning
2 tablespoons canola oil
8 pita pocket halves, warmed
8 thin slices red onion, separated into rings
8 slices tomato

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the cucumber sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Sprinkle mushrooms with pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Greek seasoning. In a large skillet, cook mushrooms in oil for 3-5 minutes on each side or until tender.
Cut pita breads in half; line each with a slice of onion and tomato. Cut mushrooms in half; place in pitas. Serve with cucumber sauce.

Nutrition Facts

2 filled pita halves with 1/3 cup sauce: 303 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Portabella Pitas in Taste of Home April/May 2011

Reviews

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Average Rating:

queenofcomfort

Apr 21, 2011

I made the cucumber sauce the day before and we thought the flavors were pretty intense. But when added to the pita all the flavors blend for a surprising taste sensation. Normally I'm not a fan of raw onion, but the flavors all go together great. We didn't miss the meat with this dish either.
teachwrite59

Apr 5, 2011

Fantastic low-calorie choice for gyro-fans! My honey and I are trying to make healthier food choices, and this recipe fits the bill while letting us enjoy one of our favorite Mediterranean staples. I've tried to make it more authentic by adding shredded lettuce, wedging the tomatoes and slivering the onion (instead of slicing). I also cut the portobellos into bites-sized pieces that resemble the traditional lamb. Not a big deal, but a good psych-out! A couple of tips: if you pita are too thin and tear when stuffing, warm them and leave them whole, arrange the ingredients in a column down the center and roll them. You can pick it up easier with less mess. Also, when making cucumber sauce, it is important to drain the yogurt in cheese cloth or yogurt sieve (or use Greek yogurt). You also need to get the extra liquid out of the cucumber by removing the seeds and putting the chopped cuke in a stainer for a couple of hours, sprinkled with 2 tsp of salt. This will keep the sauce from getting too runny. Also, refrigerate the completed sauce for at least 2 hours to let the flavors blend. I'll use this recipe a lot!