Easy Hummus Pitas with Flavorful Feta Salsa Recipe
Are you craving a delicious and satisfying meal that also happens to be good for you? Look no further than my Hummus Pitas with Feta-Olive Salsa Recipe! This dish is perfect for anyone who wants a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal that doesn’t skimp on taste. It’s also vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese.
My Hummus Pitas with Feta-Olive Salsa Recipe is a twist on traditional hummus dip. Instead of just a simple dip, this recipe adds layers of flavor and texture with a creamy hummus base, topped with a zesty and tangy feta olive salsa. The pita bread serves as the perfect vessel to hold all of these flavorful ingredients together.
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can serve it as an appetizer, snack, or even a main course by adding some grilled chicken or veggies to make a veggie pita sandwich. It’s also great for parties or gatherings as a platter, or as part of a larger spread such as a Mediterranean hummus dip or feta dip.
Another great thing about this recipe is how easy it is to make. With just a few common ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, you can whip up homemade hummus in no time. And when you add in toppings like the tangy feta olive salsa with refreshing English cucumber and juicy cherry tomatoes, you have a delicious and healthy meal ready to enjoy.
In short, my Hummus Pitas with Feta-Olive Salsa Recipe is the perfect combination of healthy and tasty. It’s easy to make, versatile to serve, and satisfies your cravings without sacrificing nutrition. So why not give it a try today?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you in search of the perfect Mediterranean-inspired snack or appetizer? Look no further than these tantalizing hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa. This recipe offers a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional greasy party dips, and it’s packed full of fresh ingredients that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
First and foremost, this recipe features homemade hummus made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Unlike store-bought versions, our creamy hummus is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and other unhealthy additives. Plus, you can tweak the recipe to suit your personal taste by adding in your favorite herbs and spices like mint, red pepper flakes or even cilantro.
To top it off, our feta-olive salsa is bursting with flavor. The combination of feta cheese and kalamata olives adds a tangy zip to the dish while the green onions, English cucumber and cherry tomatoes add pops of bright colors. Toss them together with some olive oil and red wine vinegar and you have yourself a savory topping that will rival any restaurant’s appetizer menu.
And don’t forget about the pita bread! Our recipe takes things up a notch by layering on sliced feta oleves over the creamy hummus before being folded into the pita. This creates a “pillow” effect that will make each bite into these hummus pitas an unforgettable experience for your taste buds.
In addition to its delicious flavor profile, this recipe is also incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for sharing as an appetizer for any dinner party or family gathering. You can easily modify it and serve it as a sandwich wrap or as part of a veggie platter as well. With just a few tweaks here and there, this dish can be customized to fit your needs while still delivering the same finger-licking deliciousness.
Overall; these hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa recipe offer something for everyone: it’s healthy, flavorful, visually appealing, easy to make; has endless customization options – making it impossible not to love!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you need to make these delicious Hummus Pitas with Feta-Olive Salsa:
For the Hummus:
- Chickpeas (1 can, drained and rinsed)
- Tahini (1 tablespoon)
- Garlic clove (1, minced)
- Lemon juice (3 tablespoons)
- Salt (to taste)
For the Feta-Olive Salsa:
- Cherry tomatoes (½ cup, chopped)
- Kalamata olives (¼ cup, pitted and chopped)
- Green onion (2 tablespoons, chopped)
- Fresh cilantro (2 tablespoons, chopped)
- Feta cheese (2 ounces, crumbled)
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
- Red wine vinegar (1 tablespoon)
- Red pepper flakes (a pinch)
For Serving:
- Pita bread (4 rounds, toasted or warmed)
- English cucumber (½ cup sliced)
- Mint leaves (for garnish)
You can easily find these ingredients in your local grocery store. Don’t forget to check them off your list before you start cooking!
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have all the ingredients ready, we can start preparing our Hummus Pitas with Feta-Olive Salsa. This recipe is perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer at any meal. In this section, you’ll find detailed instructions on how to make this delicious and healthy recipe.
Making the Hummus
First, we need to make the hummus. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic clove, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. With the motor running, slowly pour in olive oil until the hummus is smooth and silky.
Preparing the Feta-Olive Salsa
To make the feta-olive salsa, combine feta cheese, kalamata olives, English cucumber, green onion, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh cilantro, and mint in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Toss lightly to combine.
Assembling the Hummus Pitas
To assemble the hummus pitas, start by spreading a generous amount of your freshly homemade hummus onto each pita bread. Then spoon some of the feta-olive salsa mixture on top of the hummus layer.
You can even get fancy with presentation! For an elegant touch, you can also load the hummus into a small pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe it onto each pita. Alternatively you can simply dollop it on with a spoon.
Garnish
For garnish sprinkle some diced avocado slices over your creation and serve!
This recipe serves well as an appetizer or main course and goes great with other Mediterranean dishes such as chicken hummus wrap or veggie pita sandwich. Congratulations! You have now made a perfect pita pillow loaded creamy hummus and feta olive salsa!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to put your own spin on this hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa recipe? Good news: there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can make that will still result in a delicious and satisfying meal.
First up, let’s talk about the hummus. While chickpeas and tahini are the traditional base ingredients for hummus, there’s no reason you can’t experiment with other legumes, like white beans or black beans, or even roasted vegetables like butternut squash. Want to add an extra kick of flavor? Try throwing in some roasted red peppers or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, spicy twist.
Next, let’s move on to the feta-olive salsa. If you’re not a fan of feta cheese or kalamata olives, no worries! You can swap them out for other Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like artichoke hearts, roasted garlic cloves, or sun-dried tomatoes. Want some extra crunch? Add diced cucumber or chopped bell peppers for some texture variation.
Lastly, let’s talk about the pitas themselves. While classic pita bread is a great option for this recipe, there’s no reason you can’t mix it up with other types of bread. Try using naan bread or whole wheat wraps instead. Or skip the bread altogether and serve the hummus and salsa over a bed of mixed greens for a light and refreshing salad.
No matter how you choose to customize this recipe, don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment. After all, cooking is all about having fun and making delicious meals that reflect your personal tastes and preferences!
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa, there are endless possibilities for pairing and presentation. Of course, the classic way to eat this dish is as a sandwich – simply stuff your pita bread with hummus and top it off with a generous spoonful of feta-olive salsa. But don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings and accompaniments!
One great option is to serve the hummus pitas as part of a Mediterranean-themed platter. Load up a large plate or board with pita wedges, vegetables (like cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion), olives, artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and a variety of spreads like hummus and avocado dip. This is perfect for parties or gatherings – just let your guests build their own pita sandwiches to their liking.
For a lighter meal option, try serving hummus pitas alongside a simple Greek salad. The freshness of the veggies and the tangy feta cheese will complement the creamy hummus and salty-savory feta-olive salsa perfectly. If you’re feeling extra hungry, you can even wrap the salad up in your pita bread for an extra filling sandwich.
And if you’re looking for something a little more substantial, consider making chicken or veggie pita sandwiches. Simply add your choice of cooked protein or grilled vegetables (like eggplant or zucchini) to your hummus pita and top it off with the feta-olive salsa for an added burst of flavor.
No matter how you choose to serve them, these hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa are sure to be a crowd-pleaser – so eat up!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Sometimes, the best meals are those that can be prepared in advance so that you can save time in the kitchen. With this hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa recipe, you can easily make everything ahead of time without compromising on quality and taste.
To make things easier, you can prepare the hummus dip and feta-olive salsa a day ahead and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When it’s time to serve the dish, just give them a good mix to freshen them up.
If you have leftover hummus or feta-olive salsa, you can store them in separate containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat the pita bread, simply wrap them in aluminum foil and put them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until they are warm and soft.
One thing to keep in mind when storing leftovers is that the hummus dip may thicken up slightly after being refrigerated. If this happens, you can loosen it up by adding a little bit of water or lemon juice and mixing until it reaches the desired consistency.
Overall, this recipe is perfect for meal prep as you can easily make everything ahead of time and store it for several days. Plus, reheating the pita bread takes only a few minutes in the oven, making it convenient for a quick meal or snack on-the-go.
Tips for Perfect Results
You can enjoy hummus pita with feta-olive salsa without facing any significant hurdles if you follow the recipe properly. But if you want to take your dish to the next level, consider my tips for perfect results.
First, make sure that you rinse the canned chickpeas before using them in the recipe. This step helps to remove the excess sodium and any residual metallic taste. Moreover, it also helps to improve the consistency of your hummus by removing any added starches.
Secondly, when making the hummus, use ice-cold water instead of room temperature water. Adding cold water helps to create an ultra-creamy hummus that is smooth and luxurious.
Also, always use fresh and high-quality ingredients when preparing the dish. It may sound obvious, but the freshness of herbs like cilantro or mint can make a big difference in both taste and appearance. The same goes for the Feta cheese and kalamata olives in your salsa.
Another tip is to reserve some of the olive salsa to sprinkle on top of your hummus pita right before serving. Adding freshly chopped vegetables or herbs on top yields more freshness to your plate and highlight its overall look.
If you have leftovers, for storing purposes, divide them into separate airtight containers or bags before refrigerating them. Combining ingredients will lead to sogginess and spoilage; therefore, keeping all components separate can maintain flavors and textures.
Lastly, when reheating your wrapped-up pitas in foil in a 400°F oven, adding a damp paper towel inside with your pita bread aids in keeping it moist while being reheated. And if you want that outer crunch of the Pita Bread, remove from foil prior to reheating them so that they can get some crisp from direct oven heat.
Overall, following these simple tips will help you achieve mouth-watering hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa that are bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors every time you make it at home!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, these hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa can be a perfect appetizer, side dish or main course for your meal. They are easy to make and packed with flavors that will satisfy your taste buds. With a little bit of creativity, you can always tweak this recipe to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
So go ahead and make some hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa tonight. Your family and friends will thank you for it. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser! And don’t forget to pair them up with a refreshing drink like a Greek wine or lemonade.
With this recipe, you have everything you need to create your perfect pita pillows filled with creamy hummus and topped with an irresistible feta olive salsa. The combination of the creamy chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice is pure magic on its own, but add in the tangy feta cheese and salty kalamata olives and you have reached another level of culinary deliciousness.
In fact, I would argue that this recipe is one of the best hummus pita recipes out there! It’s versatile enough to please everyone’s taste buds, from vegetarians to meat-lovers. So whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a quick lunch idea, these hummus pitas with feta-olive salsa are sure to be a hit. Give them a try today!
Hummus Pitas With Feta-Olive Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained (reserve 1 tablespoon liquid)
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 dash red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 3/4 cup English cucumber, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped (I would prefer red onion)
- 1/4 cup kalamata olive, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon mint, freshly minced
- 4 (6 inch) pita bread rounds, halved
Instructions
- Drain chickpeas in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid. Combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic and red pepper in a food processor, and process until smooth, scraping sides of processor bowl once. Add lemon juice and reserved chickpea liquid, process until smooth. Spoon mixture into a bowl; set aside. Combine tomato and next 6 ingredients (tomato through mint) in a bowl. Spoon 1/4 cup hummus mixture into each pita half; top with 1/4 cup feta-olive salsa.