Easy Greek for Busy Days {Recipe: Greek Pita Pocket Sandwiches}

Recipes for the Crock-Pot have come a long way since my mother brought one home in the 1970's. While it was extremely convenient for my mother when she was working, the food prepared in it was not that great. She did make a pretty good chicken and dumplings in it, but that was about it.

Now there are numerous delicious recipes for the Crock-Pot. I do follow the advice of only putting things in that are meant to be slow cooked, like meats, soups, stews, pasta sauces and some fruits for  sauces or butters. I think casseroles and pasta turn out with odd textures and should be left to traditional methods.

This recipe is one of my favorites for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It is quick, easy, and full of flavor.

Greek Pita Pocket Sandwiches 

24 ounces of ground turkey (note: frozen ground turkey can be used, but some feel it is unsafe to do this. I have never had a problem and feel comfortable using it.)
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Salt to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon coarse ground salt)

Place meat and seasoning into the Crock-Pot (I use a 5 1/2 quart Crock-Pot for this dish). Cook on high for 2-3 hours, remove lid and crumble the turkey meat and stir. Return lid and cook for another hour or until the meat is completely cooked. 

Quick and Easy Tzatziki Sauce

1 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup finely grated cucumber, that has been peeled
1-2 cloves of garlic (Keep in mind the garlic gets stronger the longer the sauce is stored.)
1 tablespoon of fresh dill, optional (I don't care for dill, so I leave it out.)
Salt and pepper to taste

Additional ingredients needed for the sandwiches:

Chopped cucumber
Chopped grape tomatoes
Chopped red onion
6 whole pita pockets

To assemble the sandwiches:

Cut pita in 1/2 (many come with a perforation and can be just pulled to separate) and fork-split open the pocket of the bread. Put a heaping spoonful of the cooked, seasoned ground turkey from the Crock-Pot into each half of the pita pocket. Sprinkle some chopped cucumber, tomatoes and red onion over the meat in each half of the pita, then top with the Tzatziki Sauce. 

Enjoy!