As a kid, I remember getting in trouble all the time for daydreaming in school. I remember in 4th grade, a teacher reprimanding me and then asking me what I was dreaming about. I didn’t understand the fine art of rhetorical questions mixed with sarcasm, so I began telling her about my plans to build a boat, and sail it out on the small lake behind our house. {I was still miffed that I’d not found Godzilla a few years earlier, as an older boy had convinced me he was in there. I was determined to find him.}
Several years later, in high school, I was still getting in trouble for dreaming in class. Of course this time the subject matter had moved on from Godzilla, and I’d fine tuned my appreciation for sarcasm. So when the teacher, who had already been less than nice to me all year, quipped with: “You know you’ll never get in to college with those dreams and doodles?”
I quickly shot back “I’ll still be happier than you.”
In my defense, he’d told me a few weeks earlier I wouldn’t amount to anything. And in hindsight, I’m not sure teaching was really his calling in life.
It hasn’t helped my problem that I married another dreamer, Ashley. We even have family videos of her as a child, zoning out at family dinners, lost in her own world. It’s absolutely hilarious and we all laugh about it now with her family. So when we’ve mixed the two of us together, we still can’t decide if that’s good or bad: We have quite the list that we’re working on, behind the scenes… and we’re in the constant process of figuring them out, finding ways to make them happen. Even if they don’t really always make sense on the outside all the time. Even if they look downright crazy at first. We’re getting there, slowly but surely working our way through the process of that step from dreaming, to reality. Sometimes the big things take time.
So the other day I was spaced out as I was eating what I’ve dubbed “The Big Kid” grill cheese. Yes, I name my foods. We name everything. Once upon a time, our business literally started out of our garage. We painted furniture, and even named the pieces we sold. One of the first things we did when we started dating in college, was make sure our cars where appropriately named. Mine was named Raoul. Thus all the fun descriptions and names you’ll find in our studio.
Ashley asked thinking about, to which I responded, “I want to open a sandwich shop.”
Without even a pause, she jumped right into the dream, placing it right beside the imaginary concrete version of the studio we want to open. But soon digressed about the grease that might be on people’s hands when perusing the fabrics, art and all the other goodies we want to carry. Yes, she’s a clean freak to the core. The conversation quickly turned to moist towelettes and we were off to the races, naming menu items. She already has the identity and entire design in her head, with all the fun descriptions that she lives for.
Yes, this is how our conversations usually roll. So with sandwich shop on the brains we thought we’d share with you a new one we created the other day.
We are calling it our Chicken Mediterranean Pita, but don’t worry. If it makes it to the sandwich shop it’ll have a way cooler name. Maybe “the Apollonia”, or something. Wait that’s not cool, just trying too hard with Mediterranean words.
So the jury is still out on the name, but at least the sandwich is yummy and super simple to make!
So here is what you’ll need to make it:
• grilled chicken strips • extra virgin olive oil • pita or something to wrap it in • mayo • red peppers • yellow peppers • kalamata olives • mandarin oranges • spinach • cucumbers • feta cheese • tomatoes
You’ll want to start first, by grilling or cooking your chicken. We like to cut it up into strips before we cook it and baste it in extra virgin olive oil. This helps not only lock in the moisture, but enhance the flavor.
Next, you’ll want to slice you peppers and roast them.
While everything is cooking, we mix our mayo dressing. We have fallen in love this fun new brand we discovered called Just Mayo. Truthfully I think Ashley may have been smitten first with their instagram feed (Hampton Creek) and their cool packing because design nerds for life. But they had me at the taste and concept.
The dressing is super simple: 2 TBSP of mayo for every 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. You can also add a little salt and pepper if you want to step it up a notch.
Once everything is cooked and mixed it’s simply a process of layering.
You can use pita bread or any of your other favorite wraps or fun breads. Then we add spinach as the bottom layer followed by the peppers, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, oranges and chicken. Then we add as much of the mayo mixture as you want. I’ve always had a love affair with sauces so I pile it on.
We’ve been pairing it with another super simple recipe our summer fruit salad. {Yeah we’re working on a better name for that as well, you know in case it makes into the sandwich shop.} Either way, we will share this little delicious treat later and you’ll be amazed how simple it is and the flavor it brings.
Be ready to impress your friends.
The perfect fresh spring meal! We love this combo.
Let us know if you try it and, we’d love to here some of your favorites!
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Jenna says
This looks amazing! Love fresh foods for spring. And you’re hilarious – I still remember some mean things teachers said to me – thank goodness not all teachers are like that!
Jennifer says
Yum! I am trying that this week. We have a baby shower coming up and this looks just perfect!
Sarah says
Yummy!
Teresa says
Oooh this looks like something amazing to do by the pool? What is the fruit salad you have it paired with?
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
This looks so good! Gotta try it. Your recipes never let me down.
Also, Just Mayo is my fave. And I have to say I’m OBSESSED with their garlic mayo, too, but our local stores all stopped carrying that flavor this year. Gah! I hate when that happens.
P.S. Fellow daydreamer here, who was constantly called on and teased for that blank look I’d get on my face, so I can totally relate. Never had the guts to respond to a teacher like you did, though! Ha. 🙂
Penny says
These look delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this. Making it for the fam tonight!