Greek Layered Dip With Pita Crisps

This is a delicious dip with a lovely flavour and presentation. You may add chopped peeled cucumber if you wish. If you are taking this to a party, layer the ingredients on a decorative plastic plate or tray from a party store - no risk of breaking your favorite serving plate! Prep time does not reflect the overnight time needed to make the yoghurt cheese so plan ahead!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• Pita Crisps

• 3  pita pocket bread (6 inch)
•  olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Dip

• 8  ounces  full fat  Greek yogurt
• 2  tablespoons  finely minced red onions
• 2  tablespoons  minced fresh chives
• 200  g  cooked chickpeas
• 1  garlic clove
• 1  tablespoon tahini
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  lemon, juice of
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1  red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1  yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3  medium plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 1⁄4 ounces  chopped pitted kalamata olives (weight after pitting)
• 4  ounces  crumbled feta cheese
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped spring onion

Directions

1. The day before you want to serve the dip, take your yoghurt and put it into a mesh strainer you have lined with 3 or 4 coffee filters. (you may also line it with damp cheese cloth) Set the strainer in the sink and allow it to drain overnight. The whey will drip out of the yogurt, leaving a smooth, creamy cheese similar in texture to cream cheese or neufchatel. Stir in the red onion and minced chives and set aside.(Alternatively you can use 1 8-oz container of chives and onion cream cheese spread).
2. Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, olive oil and lemon in a food processor. Process until almost smooth (You may need a few extra TBS of water or lemon juice to loosen it) Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Heat oven to 350*F. Carefully split each pita bread into 2 rounds. Cut each round into 6 wedges; brush with olive oil and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with garlic powder.
4. Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Cool while making dip.
5. In a 10 inch pie pan, spread the yoghurt cheese mixture. Drop small spoonfuls of chickpea mixture even over, spreading evenly. Top with remaining ingredients in order listed.
6. Serve with pita crisps.
7. Note: to make ahead, dip can be refrigerated up to 2 hours.