A Beef Pita Recipe to Celebrate the Mediterranean Diet

This post is a collaboration with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff.. All opinions are my own.

Hey friends! Dan Churchill here, the chef behind Charley St in NYC and the healthy cook bringing you epic recipe goodness each week! Today I want to share with you a recipe that’s been an absolute game changer when it comes to mid-day nourishment. We all love a good pita sandwich, right?! I can’t wait to introduce this one to you, with a versatile salsa you’re going to be putting on all of your favorites this summer.

This recipe is a great one to make for the family, as it’s customizable when it comes to your add-ins. It’s all about making sure everyone can feel their best and educating our loved ones about lean beef as part of a balanced meal.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

A Mediterranean-style eating pattern is gaining popularity for its healthfulness. It includes eating an abundance of vibrant fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts/seeds, and olive oil. Recent research shows that a Mediterranean-style eating pattern that includes lean beef can reduce heart disease risk factors like total and LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

There are always some ways to infuse your own food favorites into the diet, including low-fat dairy if it suits you, as well as olive oil. And recent research study suggests that pairing lean beef with your Mediterranean favorites can be a great way to ensure you’re getting those extra essential nutrients, like high quality protein. Another great focus of this lifestyle, which I loved highlighting in this healthy Steak and Veggie Pita recipe, is the use of delicious herbs and spices to infuse food with next level flavor.

Why this Steak & Veggie Pita recipe is nutritious

For those curious about the nutritional benefits of beef as part of a balanced Mediterranean diet, we know that beef has more than ten essential nutrients (including zinc, iron, and vitamin B12), which are the source of so many great benefits for our bodies, including muscle growth and repair, nervous system function, oxygen maintenance, energy production, metabolism, and brain health! These nutrients help the body maintain its optimal performance throughout our busy lives.

And the big question on everyone’s mind is … heart health! We all know that having a strong pumping heart is the first line of business when it comes to keeping the rest of our bodies nourished. This has to do with the fact that the blood pumped by the heart is carrying the nutrients we consume and the oxygen we breathe into all of our tissues, making them work at their best.

What’s great about the Mediterranean-style diet is that research shows including lean beef and pork can allow you to get all of the benefits of this diet, which includes improving your heart health. A colorful Mediterranean-style diet with lean beef can improve total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure. I’m all about making sure these levels are in their optimal ranges, which ensure good health for a busy and active lifestyle.

This recipe combines everything there is to love about the Mediterranean diet: relatively low in fat and sodium, keeping portion sizes in check, and using ingredients that are fresh and vibrant, making your plate extra beautiful.

The Color Code for this Recipe

This colorful steak and veggie pita recipe is pantry-friendly, using ingredients you may have on hand in your kitchen already, and some fridge staples that all come together to create an easy, delicious recipe loaded with color.

The recipe couldn’t come together any easier. We start with a gorgeous whole wheat pita, and add some vibrant salsa, using a combination of healthy fats from olive oil and feta, and beautiful flavor from a colorful mix of fresh herbs and chili pepper. This green salsa is filled with herbs, which are loaded with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, and help to settle the stomach. This beautiful salsa comes with an added bonus, since it can be served with almost any savory dish you’ve got at your table. It pairs beautifully with the nutritional powerhouse and great flavor of a lean flank steak we add to the pita.

And of course the hero ingredient, our beef, is loaded with those helpful essential amino acids that are so important for muscle repair and growth, as well as micronutrients like B12, B6, and iron which are vital for nerve and muscle function, red blood cell formation and function, as well as overall metabolism.

The red from our tomatoes in the color mix we add to our pita comes from the antioxidant lycopene, which is a huge helper in protecting the heart. And they also add a boost of vitamin C, folate, and potassium.

Add some additional creaminess with a gorgeous spread of hummus, and top with your beef and that delicious vibrant green salsa.

For more recipe goodness, check out Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

And of course…don’t forget my fan favorite video on how to cook the perfect steak!

A delicious and colorful Mediterranean recipe: Steak and Veggie Pita with fresh, easy Salsa

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Cost: $10-15
Skill: Medium

Ingredients: Serves 6

1 1/2-2lb Flank Steak

Color Mix
1/3 Cup Feta Cheese
1 Dozen Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced
1 Cucumber, Diced
1/4 Cup Oregano
1 Medium Red Onion, Diced
Zest & Juice of 1 Lemon
Pinch of Salt & Pepper
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Easy Salsa
1 Cup Fresh Parsley
1 Cup Fresh Basil
Pinch of Salt
1 Garlic clove, chopped
Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
1 tsp Chili Peppers
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
1 Cup Hummus

Method:

Combine all the ingredients for the color mix into a bowl & set aside for at least 20 minutes
In a bender or food processor blitz all the salsa ingredients for 1-2 minutes, set aside
Heat large, nonstick skillet over medium until hot. Add steak and cook for 10-13 minutes flipping every 1 minute. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
To serve the place a dollop of hummus on the pita. Spoon a portion of the color mix on top of the hummus. Slice the steak and layer on top of the color mix. Add a portion of the easy salsa on top. Enjoy!