Greek Salad Pita Sandwiches

I love having sandwiches while dieting, it makes me feel like I'm cheating a bit:) This easy recipe is from Bon Appetit, and it's basically a favorite salad of mine in a sandwich.

Here are some numbers if you want to make changes:
1 cup broiled chicken, diced = 230 calories white meat, 280 calories dark meat
1 cup feta cheese (4.5 oz.), crumbled = 390 calories
1 cup radishes (3 -4 oz.), diced = 20 calories
1 tomato, medium (4 oz.) = 25 calories
1 cucumber, medium (7 oz.) = 25 calories
1 stalk green onion = 5 calories
1 cup red onions (6 oz.) = 70 calories

You can also use hummus as a spread in the pita. Just check the calories on the box.

GREEK SALAD PITA SANDWICHES

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups chopped seeded plum or cherry tomatoes
1 cup diced seeded peeled cucumber
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2/3 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped radishes
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 4 1/2 ounces)

4 8-inch-diameter whole wheat pita breads, halved

Directions:
Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar in large bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Mix tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, radishes, and parsley into dressing. Stir in feta cheese.

DO AHEAD: Salad can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Using slotted spoon, transfer salad mixture to pita bread halves. Serve sandwiches immediately.

Makes 4 servings
Per serving:
Calories: 400
Fat: 20 g
Carbs: 45 g

Fruity Tuna Salad Pita Sandwiches

You would be using fresh tuna steak for this recipe. But if you don't have it around, you can substitute one can of solid white tuna in water (9 oz.).

You can also choose to serve it over a bed of greens instead of a sandwich. The ingredients of this recipe makes it very unique. And it's good both ways.

FRUITY TUNA SALAD PITA SANDWICHES

Ingredients:
1 hard-cooked egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash of black pepper
1 (8-ounce) tuna steak
Cooking spray
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup raisins
2 tablespoons minced green onions
3 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 (8-ounce) can unsweetened pineapple tidbits, drained
2 (5-inch) whole-wheat pitas, cut in half
1 1/3 cups torn Bibb lettuce
8 (1/4-inch-thick) tomato slices

Directions:
Slice egg in half lengthwise, and remove yolk; reserve egg yolk for another use. Dice egg white halves; set aside.

Prepare grill or broiler.

Sprinkle the lemon juice and pepper over tuna. Place the tuna on a grill or broiler rack coated with cooking spray; cook 4 minutes on each side until tuna is medium-rare or desired degree of doneness. Coarsely chop tuna.

Combine tuna, diced egg white, celery, and the next 5 ingredients (celery through pineapple) in a bowl. Line each pita half with 1/3 cup lettuce and 2 tomato slices. Divide the tuna mixture evenly among pita halves.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pita half)
Per serving:
Calories: 225
Fat: 5.5g
Carbs: 27 g
Protein: 18 g