Pita Pocket Meal

Groceries are going up in price weekly. Many of us are unable to treat ourselves at the local take out place where items are basically five dollars a person and up. We don't have to go without our favorite meals. Here's my way of making a pita pocket which is a favorite treat at our house. Pitas make a great, filling, hand held meal. and is much less expensive if made at home. I am able to find ingredients in my fridge to fill them. One four pita package can fill my husband and I plus our two teen sons.

Ingredient suggestions: Leftover meats, deli meats, cheddar, swiss cheese slices, tuna, boiled egg slices, favorite vegetables, thin apple slices, bacon broken into small pieces, pepperoni, pickles, olives and tomatoes. Prepare desired contents. Shred lettuce, dice onions, peppers, radishes, tomatoes and any other favorite vegetables from the salad drawer. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut top side of the pita about 1/2 inch from the top. Cut across and down the other side in a wide 'smile' shape. Now you can easily slide your hand into the middle to open the pocket. Go slowly to keep it from ripping.

Use a spoon. knife or rubber spatula to spread entire interior with about a Tablespoon of mayo or other spread. Sprinkle some diced onion and lettuce in the bottom of the pocket. Layer cheese with ham, chicken, roast beef or salami slices and slide them into the depth of the pocket with your fingers. Add more lettuce and desired vegetables, pickle slices and olives. Slide in bacon pieces. If you choose to cut calories Italian dressing is a yummy substitute for mayo as is vinegar and oil.

Serve your pocket wrapped in wax paper, plastic wrap or a paper plate. I bend the plate like a taco to hold the cumbersome and sometimes messy meal. Serve with chips or additional pickles.