Best Israeli Eggplant Pitas Recipes

ISRAELI EGGPLANT PITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450˚. Toss the eggplants in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Lay the eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast until dark brown, flipping halfway through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Gently add the eggs and cook, adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle boil, 9 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water. Let stand until cool, about 5 minutes. Peel and slice the eggs.
• Whisk the tahini, 1/3 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Add 1 more tablespoon of water, if needed, to loosen.
• Halve the tomatoes lengthwise, remove the seeds, chop and put in a medium bowl. Chop the cucumbers and parsley and add to the tomatoes along with the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; toss well.
• Warm the pitas directly on the oven rack, about 1 minute. Spread the pitas with the hummus, then drizzle with some of the tahini sauce. Top with the eggplant and eggs; season with salt and pepper. Top with the tomato-cucumber salad, the remaining tahini sauce and the banana peppers.

MIDDLE EASTERN TURKEY PITAS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Combine the turkey, minced onion, garlic, coriander, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Form into four 4-inch-square patties. Transfer to a baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to grill.
• Meanwhile, spread the eggplant on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and set aside 10 minutes, then pat dry.
• Brush the eggplant with the olive oil and oil the grill grates. Grill the eggplant until tender and well marked, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, grill the turkey patties until marked and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Fill the pitas with the lettuce, a few eggplant slices, a turkey patty and the sliced onion. Thin the hummus with 3 tablespoons water, then spoon into the pitas. Serve with vegetable chips.

EGGPLANT, ROASTED PEPPER AND CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Sprinkle sliced eggplant with salt and allow to drain in a colander for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat a grill for medium-high heat (see Cook's Note).
• Pound chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Dredge with flour, shake off excess, dip into beaten egg, then press into seasoned bread crumbs to coat.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
• Wipe eggplant dry with a paper towel. If grilling, brush slices with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Grill until tender and well marked.
• Crush garlic with a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt. Whisk together garlic, red wine vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil. Slice grilled eggplant into strips and toss with roasted peppers and balsamic dressing; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To assemble, heat pita breads on the grill until hot and marked. Slice chicken into strips and place into warm pitas along with marinated eggplant and red peppers.