Skip to main content

Pitaquiles

A sauce tomato pure topped with crisped pita strips and a fried egg in an enameled castiron pan.
Photo by Dan Perez
  • Active Time

    35 minutes

  • Total Time

    35 minutes

When it comes to the limits of appetite, Israelis are overly optimistic. I’m guessing that’s why store-bought pitas come in ten-packs, a few of which are bound to be left over. Once you’re past thirty-six hours of purchase, it’s either freeze, repurpose, or dispose—in other words, time to get creative. Chilaquiles, that hangover dish of old tortillas crisped and doused in a tangy sauce, hasn’t made it to Israel yet; I’ve rarely even seen a tomatillo in these parts. But I built this dish by starting with a riff on classic roasted sheet pan cherry tomatoes, brightening them with hot peppers and other elements that allow the sauce to rightfully call Israel home.

Ingredients

2–3 servings

3 pitas (do not split into 2 rounds each)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoonZa’atar Spice Blend, plus more for sprinkling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 cups (1 1/2 pounds) yellow or orange cherry tomatoes
1 medium onion, sliced into thin wedges
5 garlic cloves
1 large whole jalapeño, plus more thinly sliced, for garnish
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
4 large eggs
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup labaneh or Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 425°F.

    Step 2

    Stack the pitas and, using a sharp or serrated knife, slice them in half through the middle, then slice the halves into 1/2-inch-thick strips crosswise. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil and the za’atar and add salt and black pepper to taste. Add the pita strips and toss to coat. Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.

    Step 3

    Place the tomatoes, onion wedges, garlic, and jalapeño on a large rimmed baking sheet, toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Roast until the garlic cloves are softened and golden but not burned and some of the tomatoes have burst, 15 to 20 minutes. During the last 6 to 7 minutes of roasting the tomatoes, add the baking sheet with the pita strips to the oven and toast, stirring once midway. Remove both from the oven and cool slightly.

    Step 4

    Place the cooled tomato mixture in a blender and add the lemon juice. Blend until smooth and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Place the sauce in a 10-inch skillet and warm over medium heat until bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Drop in the pita strips and shake the skillet. Warm the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.

    Step 5

    While the mixture is warming, cook the eggs sunny-side-up in a separate pan. Add the eggs to the skillet with the tomato sauce and pita and top with the feta and dabs of labaneh. Garnish with the cilantro and jalapeño rounds.

Reprinted fromSabababy arrangement with Avery, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2019, Adeena Sussman. Buy the full book fromAmazon.
Sign InorSubscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Pitaquiles?

Leave a Review

  • This was a big hit at our house. Flavorful and very satisfying.

    • scottyb

    • Los Angeles

    • 9/24/2019

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Sheet-Pan Meatballs With Burst Tomatoes and Parmesan Toast
Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes are the star of this easy sheet-pan dinner featuring herb-studded meatballs and cheesy, garlicky toast.
Khao Soy Gai
The combination of flavors and textures in this chicken khao soy (also spelled khao soi), which marries creamy curry sauce and silky egg noodles, is magical.
Vegetarian Lasagna With Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce
This is a vegetable lasagna that cooks can enjoy, too, not only because it’s delicious, but because it’s simple and stress-free to prepare.
锅鸡和饼干
This easy chicken and biscuits recipe is made with only one bowl and one skillet.
Sopa de Tortilla
Garnishes make tortilla soup special (and famous)—top each bowl of sopa de tortilla with a combination of crispy tortillas and creamy avocado chunks.
Eggplant Tikkas in Creamy Yogurt, Mustard, Chile, and Ginger
Eggplant and onion pieces are marinated in spiced, creamy yogurt before being grilled or broiled.
Tofu and Green Pea Curry
A heavily spiced sauce and pops of green peas makes bland tofu a distant memory. Easy to veganize (just skip the butter), this curry is an excellent make-ahead meal.
Roast Turkey With New England Stuffing and Cream Sauce
A cheesecloth soaked in butter saves you some of the hassle of constant basting, and a cranberry rope adds a colorful, make-ahead garnish to the final presentation.