There are some definite cliches when it comes to writing for food blogs, and after attending a food writing workshop with the inspiring Kathleen Flinn earlier this month, I’m more aware of them – and the fact that I have used every one ad nauseam – than ever before.
I mean, I really, really want to talk about the weather right now. (The calendar says summer’s all but here, but it’s freezing out there and now I’ve got a miserable cold – what?!) And I’m pretty much obsessed with farmer’s markets, but if I ever find myself writing that I picked up some delicious-looking peaches at one and then decided to make a tart with them, I’ll now know I’ve officially jumped the blog shark (um, again).

It can be tough to find something unique and new about, say, a sandwich wrap, though. Especially when you just had to come up with something interesting to say about chocolate chip cookies the day before and bacon blueberry chicken kiev the day before that.
Okay, maybe the fictional (and slightly scary-sounding) bacon blueberry chicken kiev is interesting on its own merit. But otherwise, if you’re a food blogger, I bet you’re nodding along.
So … who cares?
The single greatest takeaway from the workshop was this: do your words pass the “who cares” test? It’s a bit of a harsh way to look at things, but very smart. If you can’t make your reader care about what it is you have to say, well, they’re not likely to be a reader for long.
So. I’m looking forward to trying to be a lot less cliche and hopefully a little more interesting around here, although, frankly, my life is just not that exciting. (“You’re not boring,” Kathleen said to me after one of my typically self-deprecating remarks that weekend. “Don’t ever say you’re boring.” )
Fair enough (and thank you, Kathleen, for the reminder to be nicer to myself – and for the rejuvenating workshop).
So, about these wraps! The super-cool folks over at Chobani recently sent me some of their Greek yogurt, so lately I’ve had Greek food (and, particularly, Tzatziki sauce) on the brain. I wanted to come up with an easy meal that’s super light, cool, and refreshing for summer [remove mention of the weather here], and so here we are.
Classic Greek salad veggies – red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes – tossed with a fresh, garlicky Tzatziki sauce, kalamata olives and some feta cheese, then wrapped. And devoured.
(Sandwiches and wraps are yet another food that’s perfect for our multi-vore home – just add meat to the carnivore’s, and leave it out of the vegetarian’s version. Easy peasy.)
Be sure to allow for extra time for the wonderful homemade Tzatziki sauce, both for straining the yogurt and the cucumber and a little sitting time so that the flavors can meld. If you want something a little heartier, throw in some chickpeas.

Creamy Greek Salad Sandwich Wraps with Optional Chicken (+ a Food Writing Workshop!)
Ingredients
Tzatziki sauce
- 2 cups lowfat Greek yogurt (can also use nonfat or full fat, depending on your preference)
- 1 medium cucumber (peeled, seeds scraped, and grated)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (I prefer coarser, milder kosher salt)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 medium clove garlic (finely minced (about 1 teaspoon))
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh dill*
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh peppermint*
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Sandwich wraps
- 1 cup cucumber (peeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1 medium))
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1/2 large)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/3 cup red onion (peeled, quartered, and thinly sliced (about 1/4 large))
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (coarsely chopped)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)
- 1 cup Tzatziki sauce
- A few leaves of lettuce (if desired (I used assorted spring greens, but romaine would be terrific too))
- 4 12- inch flour tortillas
If including chicken, add per sandwich:
- 1/4 cup diced cooked chicken
Instructions
Make the Tzatziki sauce:
- Place a large funnel or colander over a bowl. Line with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and carefully spoon the Greek yogurt into the cheesecloth or coffee filter. Place in the refrigerator for 1 – 2 hours to drain any excess liquid. Note: Greek yogurt is thick enough that you can skip this step if you like; it will just result in a slightly thinner sauce.
- Line a colander with cheesecloth or paper towels and perch over a large bowl. Toss the grated cucumber with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pour into the colander. Allow the cucumber to drain for about 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, add the Greek yogurt. Gently squeeze the grated, salted cucumber to discard any remaining liquid and add to the yogurt. Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, dill, and peppermint. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Place Tzatziki sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble your sandwich:
- In a large bowl, gently toss together the cucumbers, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, onions, and olives. Stir in the feta and Tzatziki sauce.
- Lay tortilla flat and line the middle with a few lettuce leaves, if desired. Add 1 cup of Greek salad filling to the middle of the tortilla OR, if adding chicken, add 3/4 cup Greek salad filling and then top with 1/4 cup diced cooked chicken.
- Roll tortilla tightly and tuck in the ends. Slice in half and serve.
i LOVE this post. For one, the wrap looks right up my alley. I’ve been into Greek and Mediterranean flavors the last few months, so I’m definitely pinning this!
But seriously, I struggle with what to write about all time. I truly am pretty boring. We don’t do anything extraordinary most weeks, and there are some things I’m not sure I WANT to air out to the entire internet universe quite yet. I find myself talking about the weather all the time. Any suggestions on what to really talk about when you feel life is just monotonous and mundane?
Thank you so much, Holly! Gah, I totally know what you mean. I am a pretty private person overall and finding that balance is tricky. To address the privacy issue, I just describe things in a more abstract, less specific way, but I really have no idea if that’s a successful approach or not! I like to think though that every story – even the ones you think are boring – has an interesting angle. It’s all in the way you approach it. I wish I had more specific ideas than that! If you can find a writing workshop – even if it’s not about food writing – take it! I can all but guarantee it’ll get the writing juices flowing in all kinds of new and different ways.
Aw, I love your writing! I think you’re funny and engaging–I’d rather read funny and engaging than several paragraphs about the delicate beauty of the radish. But I have the same issues with writing. I spent about an hour today staring at the computer screen wondering what I could possibly write about meatballs. :/
Oh, and: tzatziiiiiikiiiiiii! Love your recipe. Great minds definitely think alike. 🙂
OMG – in the writing workshop, I described a pile of radishes! I said something about their roots all facing the same direction, waving around like Medusa’s hair. At the time it felt like better writing than that, though, ha. I guess at least Medusa is very far from delicate. Totally laughing. And thank you so much for the compliment – seriously makes my day.
Mmm, I love Greek dishes! This looks so good. And I’m dying to take a food writing workshop, I feel like they have great tips, but a little bit, my blog is just my outlet to write whatever I want. So, in some ways I think it helps, but I don’t think censoring yourself too much is a good thing either!
I have a heck of time with writing. I love cooking, love doing the photography but really struggling with writing. I also worry about being too personal…and then not personal enough! *haha* So conflicted! I adore your writing though. So don’t change too much! *hehe* 🙂
These wraps look delicious. I’m a sucker for greek salad. The perfect lunch!
You know, I really love hearing that other bloggers are struggling like I am. Such a balance to find! I guess all we can do is be ourselves and hope that’s intriguing enough to get people coming back.
Thank you so much for the compliment about my writing. You are the sweetest.
I guess I should clarify – I don’t love to hear that other bloggers are struggling – lol! It’s just nice to know it’s not just me.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don
This was the first recipe I tried from your website, Karen, and may I say that it was incredibly easy and CRAZY DELICIOUS at the same time! Not being a very good cook – and being a vegetarian personally while having a meatatarian for a significant other continued to deter me from trying health(ier) options to make at home. I was so excited to find your website containing “one dish, two ways” and providing TONS of options within! I am so excited to try each one of them – they may not end up so successfully, but your recipes are very do-able and your writing is purely awesome!! Thank you so much and i’m very excited to be on the lookout for more on the “one dish, two ways!” p.s. for this recipe, I added chopped jalapenos in the sandwich wrap – gave it a great kick, if you like a spicy addition!
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