Fill pita pockets with
hummus, vegetables

These are the recipes for dishes prepared by Steve Amaral of Cucina Pacifica on "Hawaii's Kitchen" this week. The program airs at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday and is rebroadcast at the same time the following Saturday on KHON/ FOX2.

Italian white bean hummus
with cucumber tomato salad
and fresh mint

Hummus:
1 cup cooked Italian white beans
6 tablespoons tahine
1/4 cup water
Juice from 1 lemon
1 chile pepper
Salt to taste
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
Cucumber tomato salad (optional, recipe follows)
Pita bread

Blend beans, tahine, water, lemon juice, chile pepper, salt to taste, garlic and olive oil in a blender. Place in a bowl.

Heat a piece of pita bread. Fill bread pocket with hummus and top, if desired, with salad.

Cucumber tomato salad:
4 fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup cucumber, sliced
1/3 cup tomato, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients.

Crispy opakapaka with
roasted root vegetables and
herbed mustard dressing

Four 4 ounce opakapaka filets
4 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning to taste
Roasted vegetables
Herbed mustard dressing

In a nonstick pan, heat the oil on medium high heat. Place the filets skin side up, in the hot oil. Cover the pan and sear the filets on one side only until they are brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Do not overcook the fish.

Divide the roasted vegetables among four plates, place a filet on each vegetable bed and drizzle dressing over the fish.

Roasted root vegetables:
4 medium beets
12 new carrots
4 small new potatoes
1 large sweet potato, cut up
2 parsnips
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash, scrub and rub all vegetables with olive oil.

Place in a lightly greased roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in at 350 degrees until done, about 25 to 30 minutes or until fork tender.

Herbed mustard dressing:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
Chopped fresh herbs to taste
Chopped garlic to taste
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Place mustard, vinegar, herbs, garlic, pepper and salt in a mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil.

Nutritional analyses not available.