Mr. Mailman's Pita Pocket

Ingredients

Patties:

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/8 tsp. dried onion
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Cooking spray

Envelope:

• 2 whole-wheat pitas
• 1/2 cup hummus
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 4 cucumber slices
• 8 strips of red pepper

Supplies

• Cutting board and knife
• Large frying pan
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• 1 large mixing bowl
• Food processor or vegetable masher

Directions

1. Wash all vegetables and set aside.
2. If you have a food processor, combine 1 tsp. oil, chickpeas, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Otherwise, thoroughly mash chickpeas prior to combining with other ingredients and then mix well.
3. Spray frying pan with cooking spray and heat to medium high.
4. Shape bean mixture into four patties ½ inch thick and fry for 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
5. Cut pita in half to make two pockets per pita.
6. In each pocket place 1 patty (½ for toddlers), ¼ cup lettuce, 1/8 cup tomato, and 2 tb. hummus.
7. On the outside of the pita, place pepper strips to look like address and cucumber to look like a stamp.

*Parents will need to do the washing, cutting, and frying but kids can add the salad ingredients and decorate the outside of their letter.



Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used. Values were rounded to nearest whole number, except for iron.

Nutritional analysis and facts have been provided by:


For more information about fun family recipes and keeping kids healthy and well, visit www.kidshealth.org