Description
This Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwich is a vibrant and healthy way to start your day. Combining fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh vegetables, tangy feta, and flavorful spreads like hummus or tzatziki, all nestled in warm toasted pita or crusty bread, this recipe offers a delicious balance of textures and Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a quick morning meal or brunch, it’s customizable with optional ingredients like halloumi, provolone, or lean beef patties to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Bread
- Soft pita bread (whole wheat or white) – 2 pieces
- Ciabatta or crusty whole-grain roll – 2 rolls
- Focaccia bread (optional) – 2 slices
Eggs & Cheese
- Eggs – 4 large
- Salt – 1/4 tsp, or to taste
- Black pepper – 1/4 tsp, or to taste
- Feta cheese – 1/2 cup, crumbled
- Halloumi cheese (optional) – 4 slices, about ¼-inch thick
- Provolone cheese (optional) – 2 slices
- Mozzarella cheese (optional) – 1/4 cup shredded
Vegetables
- Ripe tomatoes – 1 medium, thinly sliced
- Cucumber – 1 small, thinly sliced
- Fresh spinach or arugula – 1 cup, washed
- Red onion (optional) – 1/4 small, thinly sliced
- Roasted red peppers (optional) – 1/4 cup sliced
Spreads & Herbs
- Hummus – 1/4 cup
- Tzatziki (optional) – 1/4 cup
- Olive tapenade (optional) – 2 tbsp
- Red pepper spread (optional) – 2 tbsp
- Pesto (optional) – 2 tbsp
- Fresh parsley – 1 tbsp chopped
- Mint – 1 tbsp chopped
- Dried za’atar – 1 tsp
- Extra virgin olive oil – 1 tbsp
Optional Protein
- Lean beef breakfast patty – 2 small patties
- Ground beef (optional) – 1/4 cup cooked
- Lean beef pastrami (optional) – 2 oz sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and thinly slice the tomatoes and cucumber. If using red onion, slice it very thinly as well. Make sure the spinach or arugula is rinsed and drained. Crumble the feta cheese, and if using halloumi, cut it into approximately ¼-inch thick slices. Have your chosen spread (hummus, tzatziki, olive tapenade, etc.) ready.
- Toast the Bread (Optional, but Recommended): Lightly toast the pita bread, ciabatta, or crusty rolls until they turn a golden color. This can be done using a toaster, under a broiler, or in a dry skillet on the stovetop. Toasting adds a pleasant crunch and helps keep the bread from becoming soggy.
- Cook the Eggs: Crack the eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and black pepper, and whisk gently until combined. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter. Pour in the egg mixture and cook gently while stirring, until the eggs are just set but still fluffy and moist.
- Assemble the Base: Take your toasted bread. If using pita, gently open it to create a pocket. Spread a generous layer of your chosen spread, such as hummus or tzatziki, on both sides of the bread or inside the pocket.
- Layer the Eggs and Cheese: Distribute the scrambled eggs evenly over the bottom half of your bread. Immediately sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the warm eggs so the cheese softens slightly. If you prepared halloumi slices by pan-frying them briefly until browned, add these on top of the eggs and feta.
- Add the Fresh Veggies: Layer the sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and a hearty handful of spinach or arugula over the eggs and cheese. Add thin slices of red onion or roasted red peppers if using for extra flavor and texture.
- Finishing Touches: Drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the vegetables for richness and shine. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, mint, or a pinch of dried za’atar atop the sandwich to impart authentic Mediterranean fragrance and taste.
- Close and Serve: Place the top half of your bread over the filling, pressing down gently to secure the sandwich. Cut in half if desired for easier eating, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- To add protein, include lean beef breakfast patties or slices of lean beef pastrami for a heartier sandwich.
- You can customize the cheese varieties depending on your preference—try provolone or mozzarella as alternatives.
- Using whole wheat pita or grainy breads adds more fiber and nutrients to the meal.
- For a vegetarian version, omit any meat additions and rely on cheese and fresh veggies.
- Toast the bread just before assembling to retain crispness and avoid sogginess from spreads.
- Feel free to mix and match spreads such as olive tapenade, red pepper spread, or pesto to vary the flavor profile.
- If using halloumi, pan-fry in a non-stick pan with minimal oil until golden brown for best texture.
