Round 2 Recipe Pita Pile On With Spicy Yogurt Sauce

ROUND 2 RECIPE - PITA PILE ON WITH SPICY YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the spicy yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, stir the yogurt together with the hot sauce and mint. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. For the pita: In a small pot over low heat, combine the reserved chicken and vegetables and cook until warmed through. Place the pitas on 2 plates. Top each with the chicken and vegetables, the chopped romaine and then drizzle with the spicy yogurt.
• For the spicy yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, stir the yogurt together with the hot sauce and mint. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. For the pita: In a small pot over low heat, combine the reserved chicken and vegetables and cook until warmed through. Place the pitas on 2 plates. Top each with the chicken and vegetables, the chopped romaine and then drizzle with the spicy yogurt.
• In a large zip-top bag, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder and some salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat completely.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the canola oil. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. While the chicken is cooking, to a slow cooker add the tomatoes, peppers and onions. Top with the chicken thighs.
• In same skillet used to brown the chicken, add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour over top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is extremely tender.
• In a medium pot, combine 2 cups water, the rice, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, juice of half the lemon and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
• To serve, spoon the rice onto a deep-sided platter and ladle the Spanish chicken and vegetables over top. Garnish with the olives and squeeze over the remaining lemon juice.
• In a large zip-top bag, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder and some salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat completely.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the canola oil. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. While the chicken is cooking, to a slow cooker add the tomatoes, peppers and onions. Top with the chicken thighs.
• In same skillet used to brown the chicken, add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour over top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is extremely tender.
• In a medium pot, combine 2 cups water, the rice, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, juice of half the lemon and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
• To serve, spoon the rice onto a deep-sided platter and ladle the Spanish chicken and vegetables over top. Garnish with the olives and squeeze over the remaining lemon juice.

ROUND 2 RECIPE - BAKED FALAFEL WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in to the oven.
• Combine all falafel ingredients, including the Chickpea Salad, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse mixture until coarsely ground.
• Using your hands, form the falafel mixture into balls about the size of walnuts and set aside. If the falafel mixture sticks to your hands dip them in cold water in between rolling each ball.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the falafel onto the sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking, to brown on both sides.
• Place on a serving platter and serve with yogurt sauce on the side.
• Add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and combine well.
• Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.

SPICY YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Saute the onions and chiles in the oil until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and saute for a minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the tomato and flour and cook for 2 minutes. Finally, stir in the yogurt. Heat the sauce thoroughly, but do not allow it to boil or the yogurt will curdle. Add salt to taste and serve

ROUND 2 RECIPES -BEEF KEBOB PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and spray pan with nonstick cooking spray. Grill kebabs 3 minutes per side until medium-rare.
• In a small bowl combine cucumbers and leftover reserved yogurt marinade.
• Slice the top off the pita pockets. Fill the pockets with the beef, couscous and yogurt cucumber mixture. Place on serving dishes and serve.
• In a large bowl whisk together canola oil, garlic, yogurt, cumin, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Reserve half the marinade, in a covered bowl, and refrigerate. Add beef cubes to remaining marinade, cover and refrigerate for anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.
• Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium high heat. Be sure to oil the grill surface before grilling the kebabs.
• Thread beef cubes and onion pieces onto skewers, alternating 3 pieces of beef and onion per skewer. Set aside extra beef cubes. Place skewers on the grill pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare.
• Place kebabs on a serving platter along with Spicy Couscous. Drizzle with some of the reserved marinade and serve.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Saute garlic with red pepper flakes for 2 minutes being careful not to burn garlic. Add the chicken broth, turn up heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from the heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and fluff with fork. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

ROUND 2 RECIPE - RICE CAKES WITH CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the rice cakes: In a bowl, combine the rice, breadcrumbs, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Mix together until well until incorporated. Take 1/4 cup of the rice mixture and form into 1/2-inch thick patty. Set aside while you form the other 3 patties.
• In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the oil. When it is hot, fry the rice cakes in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a brown paper bag.
• For the creamy cilantro sauce: In the bowl of a food processor, add the cilantro, vinegar, garlic, and sour cream and process to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve the rice cakes with a dollop of the Creamy Cilantro Sauce.