Food Friday, part one

Are you ready for a huge Food Friday? You're getting two recipes in one this week! I admit that homemade pitas do take time, which isn't convenient for everyone. But if you take the time to make these you won't regret it, they are delicious! You just have to be around every couple hours for the next step. The hummus, on the other hand, is really easy and quick (if you're on the homepage, scroll down to see part two for that recipe). 


Homemade Pitas

What you need:


1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
3 cups flour (I use whole grain whole wheat)
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp olive oil


How to make it:


In a large bowl, combine yeast and water. Whisk together to dissolve the yeast, then add the sugar and 1 1/2 cups flour (not all of it!). Stir well. Cover the bowl with oiled plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.


Add the salt, oil and remaining flour. Mix everything together really well. I find that it helps to get your hands in there. Lightly flour your work surface and dump the dough onto it. Knead it for 5-10 minutes. Grease up a new, large bowl with olive oil and place the dough in it and turn the dough until it's oily all over. Cover it again with oiled plastic wrap and let it right for 1 1/2 hours in a warm place.


Preheat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly flour your work surface again and dump out the dough. Divide it into 6-8 balls and roll them out to about 1/4 inch thickness. You can brush them with oil or not, it's up to you (I don't). Place on a non-stick baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, until browned a little. (The best ones will turn into a giant bubble!) Allow to cool completely on the counter before packing up.


Since these take so long (but are so worth it), it might be worth your while to double the recipe and freeze a bunch. They are so handy to have around. You can fill them with sandwich ingredients for lunches (and cut down on carbs!), use them as personal-sized pizza shells, or cut them up into wedges and eat as a snack with hummus. You can even peel the layers in half, brush them with oil, season them, and bake them again and get crispy pita chips! There are so many options.