Middle Eastern Beef Salad with Chayote Squash & Za’atar Pita Croutons

Middle Eastern Beef Salad

with Chayote Squash & Za’atar Pita Croutons

30 MIN
2 Servings
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From the Test Kitchen

We’re topping this flavor-packed salad with bites of tender beef seared in a coating of ras el hanout—a blend of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and more—whose bold flavor is delightfully contrasted by our creamy yogurt dressing.
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Dietary Information

600 Calories Or Less
  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    560 Cals (est.)
fresh
ingredients
Middle Eastern Beef Salad with Chayote Squash & Za’atar Pita Croutons
Title
  • ½ lb Thinly Sliced Beef
  • 2 Pocketless Pitas
  • 4 oz Grape Tomatoes
  • 1 Chayote Squash
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • ½ cup Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp Za'atar Seasoning (Ground Sumac, Sesame Seeds, Salt, Ground Thyme, Whole Dried Oregano & Crushed Aleppo Pepper)
  • 1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 Romaine Lettuce Heart
  • 1 Tbsp Ras El Hanout
time-saving
tips & techniques
How To: Wash Lettuce
How To: Safely Cut Round Vegetables
step-by-step
instructions
Cook Along Triangle Created with Sketch.
Prepare the ingredients
1 Prepare the ingredients

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Roughly chop the lettuce. Halve the tomatoes. In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce and halved tomatoes. Peel 1 clove of garlic; using a zester, finely grate into a paste (or use the small side of a box grater). Halve the squash lengthwise. If present, remove the pit, then medium dice the squash. 

Make the pita croutons
2 Make the pita croutons

In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Working one at a time, add the pitas. Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until heated through and pliable. While the pitas cook, in a bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil and half the za’atar (you will have extra). Season with salt and pepper. Carefully transfer the warmed pitas to a work surface and brush or drizzle with the za’atar oil. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Wipe out the pan.

Cook the beef
3 Cook the beef

Meanwhile, separate the beef; pat dry with paper towels. Place in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, and half the ras el hanout (you will have extra); toss to coat. In the same pan, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned beef in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned and just cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.

Cook the squash
4 Cook the squash

In the pan of reserved fond, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the diced squash in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter); season with salt and pepper. Loosely cover the pan with foil and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until the squash is softened and the water has cooked off. Add the vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined. Turn off the heat.

Make the dressing
5 Make the dressing

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of water, and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Make the salad & serve your dish
6 Make the salad & serve your dish

Add the dressing to the bowl of prepared lettuce and tomatoes; toss to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the salad topped with the cooked beef, cooked squash, and pita croutons. Enjoy!

Tips from Home Chefs

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Middle Eastern Beef Salad

Prepare the ingredients
1 Prepare the ingredients

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Roughly chop the lettuce. Halve the tomatoes. In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce and halved tomatoes. Peel 1 clove of garlic; using a zester, finely grate into a paste (or use the small side of a box grater). Halve the squash lengthwise. If present, remove the pit, then medium dice the squash. 

2 Make the pita croutons

In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Working one at a time, add the pitas. Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until heated through and pliable. While the pitas cook, in a bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil and half the za’atar (you will have extra). Season with salt and pepper. Carefully transfer the warmed pitas to a work surface and brush or drizzle with the za’atar oil. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Wipe out the pan.

Make the pita croutons
Cook the beef
3 Cook the beef

Meanwhile, separate the beef; pat dry with paper towels. Place in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, and half the ras el hanout (you will have extra); toss to coat. In the same pan, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned beef in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned and just cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.

4 Cook the squash

In the pan of reserved fond, heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the diced squash in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter); season with salt and pepper. Loosely cover the pan with foil and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until the squash is softened and the water has cooked off. Add the vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined. Turn off the heat.

Cook the squash
Make the dressing
5 Make the dressing

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of water, and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

6 Make the salad & serve your dish

Add the dressing to the bowl of prepared lettuce and tomatoes; toss to coat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the salad topped with the cooked beef, cooked squash, and pita croutons. Enjoy!

Make the salad & serve your dish
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