I don't think they are even on the menu anymore, but Macaroni Grill's Bella Napoli were my favourite thing at the restaurant. They were Italian nachos, of sorts, made with fried lasagna noodles and then topped with cream sauce, Italian sausage, olives and peppers. Some day I'm going to get brave enough to make them. (I'm not very comfortable frying things. I've just never really learned.)
In the mean time, these are sort of my take on the Bella Napoli with flavours from our Greek dining experiences. I started making my own hummus because they didn't have it at the Commissary (I say that, and the next my mom comes to visit they will have a huge endcap display of hummus). I really like Rachel Ray's recipe because it has a little smokey kick to it. Also, previously I had always mixed yogurt and sour cream and diced cucumber for taziki, but yesterday I tried using a recipe and really liked it.
Ingredients
1 package Pita Pockets
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
3 Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
Lemon Pepper
Kalamata Olives
Peperoncini Peppers
Feta Cheese
Vinegar (Red Wine or Balsamic)
At least two hours before you intend to eat mix up your Taziki Sauce; it really gets better when given a little time for the flavours to meld. I normally make the hummus at this time as well. (Or you could use prepared products.)
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the chicken with lemon pepper. Heat a skillet and a small amount of olive oil. Saute the chicken over medium heat.
Meanwhile cut the pita pockets into wedges and separate the halves. Arrange the pita pieces on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle them with sea salt. Toast them in the oven for about seven minutes. I set my timer; this is the only way I can avoid burning them to a crisp.
When the chicken and the pita chips are finished assemble the nachos. I like to spread a bit of hummus on each chip (it helps hold all the toppings on). I then scatter the top with chicken, olives, feta and perperocinies. I like to drizzle a bit of taziki and balsamic vinegar over the whole thing.
Princess Little has a very different approach. She very carefully constructs each nacho. We're normally finished eating before she's finished creating.
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