Pitta bread refers to the slightly leavened, round or oval shapes of wheat bread, widely available in supermarkets and specialist shops. It puffs up during baking to form a sealed pocket, which when split is great for stuffing in much the same way as a sandwich. It has a soft and chewy texture.

Today we use it in a similar way to our normal leavened bread �?we stuff it, dip it, toast it, make it into canapés, lunches and snacks. As with most imported ideas and in typical evolutionary fashion we have produced our own varieties. The usual variety is oval in shape and plain white. However they can now come in lots of different flavours: wholemeal, sesame, sundried tomato, herb and garlic to name a few. They also come as pockets �?round in shape as well as mini sizes. Check out your bakery division of your supermarket, but be careful to work out the POINTS® value as they will not all be the same.

All ideas serve 1 and use plain, medium, white pitta bread - unless otherwise stated. POINTS totals include pitta bread/s which are 2½ POINTS values each.

Pesto Chicken Pittas
This is a great lunch or picnic food. Mix together 10g Sainsburys Be Good to Yourself green pesto, 1 tbsp fat free vinaigrette, 75g chopped, cooked, skinless chicken breast, ½ red pepper, diced, a handful of shredded little gem lettuce leaves and stuff into a pitta bread. POINTS value: 4.

Hot Carrot and Coriander
Leave out the horseradish if preparing for the kids otherwise it's one for the grown-ups! Mix together 1 small grated carrot, 25g shredded white cabbage with 1 tsp hot horseradish, 2 tbsp 0% fat Greek yogurt and 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves and pile into a split, sesame seed pitta bread. POINTS value: 3.

Creamy Moroccan Lamb
This is a lovely supper dish served with a fresh green salad. Grill 150g lean, lamb leg steak meat for 10 mins or until cooked and slice thinly. Mix with 1 tbsp harissa paste, 2 tbsp very low fat fromage frais and 3 thinly sliced ready to eat dried apricots. Pile on top of 2 warmed garlic pitta breads and serve with the salad. Serves 2. POINTS value per pitta: 5½.

BLT and an Egg!
Breakfast in a pitta, fantastic! Crack and beat an egg and either cook in the microwave on high, stirring frequently for 1 min or in a pan sprayed with low fat cooking spray, until scrambled. Spoon into a warmed wholemeal pitta bread, with 1 grilled rasher lean back bacon, 2 cherry tomatoes, halved, and a couple of lettuce leaves. Season with salt and pepper and consume at leisure! POINTS value: 5½.

Prawn Cocktail Retro yes, but none the less delicious! Take 50g peeled prawns mix with 1 tbsp 0% Greek yogurt, 2 tsp tomato puree, a dash of Tabasco, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper and spoon into a pitta. Top with a 5cm piece cucumber, diced, before serving. POINTS value: 4.