The 1-Minute Cucumber Sandwich I Make on Repeat

I've been making it for many years.

I will never sacrifice lunch. I'll never skip it or replace it with a granola bar, which, as a Registered Dietician Nutritionist, I can tell you is not a meal. I love myself, others, and food too much to do that.

During my early career, I worked hard and always looked forward to my lunch break. Unlike many co-workers, I usually brought my own lunch. It wasn’t anything fancy but well thought out and covered all major food groups.

I had little money, so I shopped for sales and stuck with low-cost ingredients. For example, cucumbers and locally sourced pita bread were economical. Greek yogurt was my splurge, but I purchased the big tub to make things more cost-effective. As for feta, it was so flavorful that I only needed a little bit, which meant I could stretch and incorporate it into several meals over a few weeks.

I could whip up a quick cucumber sandwich with these staples to enjoy at work. It was delicious and perfect.

I rely on quick meals like this one-minute Greek-inspired cucumber sandwich. It’s built using prepared, whole-ingredient foods, which keep things easy and nourishing, ensuring my belly and my taste buds are equally satisfied. Here’s how you can make it.

How To Make My 1-Minute Greek-Inspired Cucumber Sandwich

To make one sandwich, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber (seedless preferred)

• 2 tablespoons prepared tzatziki sauce

• 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese

• Salt and freshly ground pepper (optional)

• 1 (6-inch pita), preferably whole wheat, sliced in half

Add cucumber slices to a bowl along with the tzatziki, feta cheese, salt, and pepper, if using. Toss gently to combine. Open pita halves and stuff with cucumber mixture. That's it!

A Note on Tzatziki

I love making tzatziki from scratch, but it takes a bit of time to prepare. That’s why I'll often buy prepared versions when I know I have a busy week ahead.

I’m currently crushing on the delicious version made by Whole Foods, but other brands, like Cedars, are also great.

Once opened, they’re usually only good for three to five days, so if you’re not planning on making several pitas, enjoy it other ways. I love using it as a dip for vegetables or crackers. It’s also delicious over grilled chicken or salmon. I’ve even enjoy it as a topping for hamburgers!

Easy and Affordable Customizations

The great thing about this easy cucumber sandwich is your ability to switch things up. Luckily it doesn’t have to mean expensive or specialty ingredients. There’s a good chance you have a wealth of options in your refrigerator and pantry. Here are a few you can try:

• Add a little heat. Consider tossing in a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or your favorite hot sauce to spice things up a bit.

• Add a pop of brightness. A little fresh lemon juice will add the perfect pop of brightness to this sandwich. You can even add a bit of the zest for an even bigger punch.

• Stuff in a little extra greens. If you have some lettuce, microgreens, or herbs, consider adding them to your pita. You can toss them along with the other ingredients, then fill your pita to capacity!

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.