We packed a sneaky amount of protein in this handheld dinner, using cottage cheese along with crispy savory ground beef. Tip: Make a double batch of the spread and you’ve got a dip that’s perfect for crunchy vegetables or pita chips.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp.
white wine vinegar, divided
- 1/4 tsp.
sugar
-
Kosher salt
- 1
medium red onion, thinly sliced and divided
- 1 1/2 cups
frozen peas, thawed
- 1/3 cup
low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup
mint leaves, plus more for topping
- 2 Tbsp.
olive oil
- 6 oz.
cremini mushrooms, very thinly sliced
- 12 oz.
lean ground beef, broken into pieces
- 1/4 tsp.
sumac
- 2
whole-wheat pitas, split into 2 rounds and toasted
Directions
-
- Step 1In small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon vinegar, sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Toss in 1/4 sliced onion and let sit until ready to use.
- Step 2In food processor, process peas, cottage cheese, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, scraping sides as necessary, until smooth. Pulse in mint until chopped.
- Step 3Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high. Add mushrooms in even layer and cook, undisturbed, until starting to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle remaining onion on top; cook, undisturbed, until mushrooms are deep golden brown, 1 to 2 minute more. Stir onion and mushrooms and scatter beef on top; season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and sumac. Cook, breaking up beef and stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through and browned, 5 to 6 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar.
- Step 4Spread pitas with minty peas and top with beef mixture, pickled onions, and additional mint leaves.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving): About 354 calories, 14 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 56 mg cholesterol, 617 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 6 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 27 g protein
Did you make this recipe? Comment below!
Tina (she/her) is the food producer of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She comes to Hearst with 10 years experience in the world of food styling for editorial, digital and television platforms. When she’s not cooking in her tiny Brooklyn kitchen, she can be found enjoying a beer at a local brewery, hiking in a national park or enjoying an afternoon at the beach.