Mediterranean Pitas - From Rachael Ray Magazine

These party sandwiches are stuffed with store-bought fillings, so they come together in seconds. Ingredients:

16 mini pita pockets, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 pound each hummus, tapenade, pesto, sun-dried tomato spread, black bean dip and spreadable goat cheese Olives, for garnish Paprika (optional) For a change

Use larger toasted pitas and cut into wedges to serve.

Directions:Preheat the broiler. Split each pita pocket in half, forming 32 disks total. Place the disks, cut side up, on a baking sheet and brush with the olive oil. Place under the broiler and cook until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes. Let cool.

Top the pitas with the various spreads. Place an olive in the center of some of the pitas. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, if desired.

Roasted Chicken Thighs Provencal

3 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
4 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 6 wedges
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
6 (6-ounce) skinless chicken thighs
24 black olives
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°.

Place potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle vegetable mixture with olive oil; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss gently, and spread into a single layer on pan. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes. Remove vegetable mixture from pan, and keep warm.

Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped rosemary, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken and olives to pan. Bake at 425° for 35 minutes or until chicken is done. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken thigh, 1 2/3 cups vegetable mixture, and 4 olives)

Greek Salad

1 head iceburg lettuce
1 head romaine lettuce
1 lb. plum (roma) tomatoes
6 oz. greek or black olives, sliced
4 oz. sliced radishes
4 oz. feta cheese
2 oz. anchovies (optional)
Dressing:
3 oz. olive oil
3 oz. fresh (preferred) lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
4 cloves garlic, minced

Wash and cut lettuce into 1 1/2" pieces. Slice tomatoes in quarters. Combine
lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and radishes in large bowl. Mix dressing ingredients together and then toss with vegetables. Pour out into a shallow serving
bowl. Crumble feta cheese over all, and arrange anchovy fillets on top (if desired).

Serves 6-8

Christmas Crab Rolls

1/2 lb. crab meat (not imitation)
1/2 lb. grated Velveeta cheese
1/2 lb. grated mild cheddar
4 green onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
6 oz. green olives, chopped
1 c. tomato sauce
2/3 c. oil
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
36 small French rolls

Mix all ingredients (except rolls) together. Set aside and refrigerate. Cut the top 1/4 off the rolls
and gently pull out the insides of the bottoms. Fill with crab mixture and replace tops. Place
rolls in foil and store in refrigerate until ready to bake or may be frozen. Bake at 350 degrees for
20-30 minutes until outside are crispy and filling is melted and hot.