Spicy Chicken Tomato Pitas For Two Recipes

CHILI CHICKEN PITAS WITH SPICY HOISIN MAYO

Steps:

• Stir together the chili sauce, hoisin and mayonnaise in a bowl.
• For the spice mixture: Heat a wok over medium-high heat. Add the peppercorns, fennel seeds, cloves, chiles and star anise and toast, tossing constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and grind until fine or pulse in an electric spice grinder. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Reserve 1 heaping teaspoon and transfer the remaining spice mixture to a jar for another use.
• Put the chicken in a medium bowl, sprinkle with the light and dark soy sauces and toss well to coat. Sprinkle the cornstarch and reserved spice mixture over the chicken, toss well and set aside for 5 minutes while you prepare the garnishes and sauce.
• Heat the wok over high heat until smoking, and then add the oil. Pour the chicken into the wok in a single layer and let it settle and begin to brown before stirring. Stir-fry using a spatula until just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Pour in the mirin and toss until the liquid evaporates. Remove from the heat.
• To assemble, spread the Spicy Hoisin Mayo evenly over the top and bottom pita halves. Divide the warm chicken among the pitas and top each with a slice of tomato, some pickled cucumbers and a lettuce leaf. Position the top pita in place and serve immediately. Alternatively, you can create pita pockets by slicing off the top third of each pita, pulling them apart, and stuffing them with the chicken, Spicy Hoisin Mayo and vegetables.
• Put the cucumber slices in a nonreactive bowl. Sprinkle the mirin, rice vinegar, salt, and sugar over them and toss to combine. Let stand for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before serving, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Marinate chicken in vinaigrette, covered, in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients; chill until serving., Drain and discard marinade. If grilling the chicken, lightly oil the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 4-7 minutes on each side., Cut chicken into strips. Fill each pita half with chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and cheese; drizzle with sauce.