Spicy Mediterranean Pork Pita Delight
Transport your taste buds to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean with this vibrant and zesty Spicy Mediterranean Pork Pita Delight. This dish is a sensational mix of tender, lean pork strips marinated in aromatic spices, complemented by a colorful array of fresh vegetables and a hint of heat from chili peppers. Quickly stir-fried to perfection, this one-dish meal is not only healthy and economical, but it also brings the family together as everyone customizes their own pita pocket. It's a fun, hands-on dining experience that even picky eaters will love, making it a beloved favorite that’s sure to earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork (lean and tender)
1 lb (sliced into 1 cm strips)
Fresh chili peppers
2-4 (finely sliced)
Red capsicum
2 (sliced into strips)
Yellow capsicum
1 (sliced into strips)
Green capsicum
1 (sliced into strips)
Large Spanish onions
2 (sliced into strips)
Large fresh tomatoes
2-3 (roughly chopped)
Garlic cloves
4-6 (minced)
Fresh ginger
2 cm (minced)
Tabasco sauce
6-12 drops (to taste)
Coriander powder
1 1/2 tablespoons (mixed with marinade)
Lemon juice
1 tablespoon (mixed with marinade)
Sea salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Olive oil or peanut oil
6-12 tablespoons (for cooking)
Pita breads
6-12 (heated and sliced open)
Instructions
1
Begin by slicing the pork into 1 cm strips. In a bowl, combine minced ginger and garlic with lemon juice, sea salt, and coriander powder. Mix well and marinate the pork strips in this mixture for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld.
2
While the pork marinates, prepare the vegetables: slice the onions and capsicums into strips roughly 1/2 cm wide. Finely slice the chili peppers and place all the prepared vegetables in a bowl for easy access.
3
In a large wok or karhai, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add a few strips of marinated pork at a time and cook for about one minute, or until they start to brown at the edges. Remove each batch and place them in a bowl to rest while continuing with the next.
4
Using the remaining oil, sauté the sliced onions until they soften and become slightly transparent, about one minute. Be careful not to overcook them as they will continue to cook with the later ingredients.
5
Return the browned pork to the wok, combining it with the sautéed onions. Next, add the capsicum and chili strips, stirring them in for another minute before adding the roughly chopped tomatoes. Cook on high heat for approximately 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
6
Stir in the Tabasco sauce and bring the mixture back to full heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more sea salt, black pepper, or Tabasco to suit your heat preference. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves before removing from heat.
7
While the mixture stays warm, prepare the pita breads by heating them and then slicing open one side to create pockets.
8
Serve the juicy pork and vegetable mixture in a bowl, allowing everyone to customize their pita pockets with as much filling as they desire. Enjoy this interactive dining experience!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Mediterranean Pork Pita Delight?
It is a vibrant, zesty dish featuring tender lean pork strips marinated in aromatic spices, stir-fried with fresh vegetables and served in pita pockets.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
How long should I marinate the pork?
The pork should be marinated for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.
What ingredients are in the marinade?
The marinade consists of minced ginger, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, and coriander powder.
How should I cut the pork?
The pork should be sliced into strips approximately 1 cm thick.
What types of peppers are used in this dish?
The recipe calls for red, yellow, and green capsicums, along with fresh chili peppers for heat.
How many garlic cloves are required?
You will need 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of onions should I use?
The recipe specifies two large Spanish onions, sliced into strips.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
You can adjust the heat by varying the number of chili peppers (2-4) and the amount of Tabasco sauce (6-12 drops) added.
When should the tomatoes be added to the wok?
Tomatoes should be added after the capsicum and chili strips, then cooked on high heat for about 30 seconds.
What is the recommended cooking oil?
You can use either olive oil or peanut oil for this recipe.
How do I prepare the pita bread?
Heat the pita breads and then slice open one side to create a pocket for the filling.
Is there a recommended garnish?
Yes, you can optionally garnish the dish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
How thin should the vegetable strips be?
The onions and capsicums should be sliced into strips roughly 1/2 cm wide.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthy and economical one-dish meal using lean pork and fresh vegetables.
Why should I cook the pork in batches?
Cooking the pork a few strips at a time ensures they brown properly at the edges rather than steaming.
How long do the onions need to sauté?
Sauté the onions for about one minute until they soften and become slightly transparent.
What equipment is best for cooking this dish?
A large wok or a karhai is recommended for the stir-frying process.
How is the dish served?
Serve the pork and vegetable mixture in a bowl so individuals can customize their own pita pockets.
How much ginger is needed?
You will need a 2 cm piece of fresh ginger, minced.
What spices are used in the pork seasoning?
The primary spice used is coriander powder, along with sea salt and black pepper.
Can I use different types of capsicum?
The recipe uses a mix of red, yellow, and green for color, but you can use any combination you prefer.
How many tomatoes are used?
The recipe calls for 2 to 3 large fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped.
What is the quantity of coriander powder needed?
Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of coriander powder for the marinade.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for the marinade.
What is the suggested amount of oil for frying?
The recipe suggests using 6 to 12 tablespoons of oil.
Is this dish suitable for picky eaters?
Yes, because it is an interactive meal where everyone can customize their own filling, it is generally enjoyed by picky eaters.
What tags define this recipe?
Tags include Mediterranean, pork, stir-fry, pita, healthy, spicy, quick meal, and family-friendly.
Can I substitute the pork?
While the recipe specifies lean pork, the Mediterranean spices would also work well with chicken or lamb strips.
What makes the recipe interactive?
The fact that the filling is served separately from the pita pockets allows everyone to build their own meal.