Quick Health Packable Lunch: Crab, Artichoke and Zesty Pita Halves

As I nurse, I rarely had the time for a sit down meal at work. Food items needed to be put together quickly and be pick-up-able. If your mealtimes are as crazy as mine were, this is the healthy lunch for you. When served with crudités this makes a nutritious and delicious packable meal. The filling easily can be divided for a family of four dinner and two lunch serving.

Crab, Artichoke and Zesty Pita halves makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 red pepper chopped (save time and buy pre-chopped off the salad bar at the store if needed)
1 T olive oil
2 - 14 oz cans of artichoke hearts drained and finely chopped
2 c. light Mayonnaise
½ c. Valdosta sweet or red onions (also can be bought at the salad bar)
1 c. Fresh grated Romano Cheese (this too can be bought pre-grated)
1 ½ T lime juice
1 T Worcestershire sauce
½ t. hot sauce
1 t. celery salt
1 pound can crab meat (picked over)
½ cup slivered almonds lightly toasted
3 Pitas cut in half

Instructions

1. In a heavy skillet cook red pepper in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is softened and let it cool.

2. In a large bowl combine the red pepper, artichokes, mayonnaise, sweet onions, Romano cheese, and lime
juice, Worcestershire sauce, and celery salt

3. Blend the mixture so that it becomes combined well.

4. Stir in the crab meat gently. Transfer the mixture to a buttered ovenproof 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle it with
the almonds and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Pita Halves (an alternative to pita halves is baked tortilla chips which could be dipped in the filling instead of
stuffed like the pita halves)

Ingredients

8 large pita loaves, with pockets
½ cup olive oil
½ t Salt

Instructions

1. Cut each pita rounds in half. triangles. Arrange the triangles rough side up in 1

2. Arrange on cookie sheet and brush lightly with salted olive oil

3. Bake at in the upper third of a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are light gold and
crispy

4. Pack pita crisp and filling for lunch separately to take for lunch.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve with chunks of cheese, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber and hummus
Add sparkling water or unsweetened green ice tea to top it off