Flat Bread -- My way

I have never been much of a sandwich bread type of girl.... I will settle for bagels, rolls, and even english muffins. My favorite type of bread, by far, is flat bread. I usually buy this awesome flat bread from Costco--- I don't know the brand... and no, it's not FlatOut... but I ran out and I wanted to make sandwiches for dinner tonight. (It's a lazy sunday).

Really, this is just a basic flour tortilla recipe-- EXCEPT I added a bit or red wine vinegar, parsley, basil, and garlic powder. 

Yields: 9 flats

Ingredients:

3 c. all purpose flour (see note)
3 tsp. baking powder
3 tbsp veg oil/canola oil
1 c. water
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Olive Oil

--NOTE: you will find yourself adding more flour for dusting so it's not so sticky.

Directions: 

1) Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl. (I find it easiest to mix together first with a fork (until crumbly) and them really meld it together with my hands.)

2) Roll dough into 3" balls. Set aside and cover. Let rest for 30 minutes.

3) Use a rolling pin to roll each section out on a surface dusted with flour. Use your discretion for thickness. I prefer  roughly 1/8" thick. You can be precise and roll into perfect squares or rounds... but if you enjoy the uniqueness of imperfection, make them odd ball shapes.

4) Heat skillet to medium heat.
5) Brush olive oil onto the side that will go down into the skillet first. Place on skillet. Brush other side with olive oil.

6) Flip once bubbles start to form (about 30-40 seconds). Cook other side for 30 seconds.

7) TA-DA! Remove from skillet and set aside. Repeat until finished.

Behold! Chicken salad on my homemade flat bread!

Chicken with Herb Sauce

Let me just put this out there: I cook chicken... a lot. Most of this stems from the fact that a) any beef other than ground is terribly expensive and b) I can't really cook a steak well.... most of the time it turns out a kin to dog food, and c) pork is not an option. I just don't like it (except in hot dogs and ham).

That being said, I went to the library on Sunday and checked out a few new cook books. On previous trips, I have borrowed the whole darn Sandra Lee collection and ended up feeling empty. Most of her recipes were simple an convenient, but not appetizing. For the short order and unmotivated cook looking to impress, she is perfect... otherwise, not so much.

Anywho-- I borrowed the "Illustrated Kitchen Bible" which boasts over 3,000 recipes with color pictures! I swear, the moment I have $35 extra dollars to spend, I will buy this book. For now, jotting down the recipes will do.

Tonight, I made Chicken with Herb Sauce... with some angel hair pasta.

Delicious... so delicious, in fact, I decided to do a little fancy plating of the dish once complete. Photo follows the recipe.

Chicken with Herb Sauce (from the Illustrated Kitchen Bible... recipe not followed as exactly written... the way I did it is below. I omitted anchovy filets [yuck!] and celery [didn't have])

Ingredients:

3 boneless and skinless chicken breasts

1 small onion, sliced
1 cup baby carrots, sliced lengthwise
a few parsley sprigs

For the sauce:

1/2 c. parsley leaves

1/2 c. basil leaves

1 tbsp. nonpareil capers, rinsed
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 c. olive oil
dash of salt & pepper

1) Preheat the oven to 375*F. Place chicken in a roasting pan along with onions, carrots, and enough water to cover. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from over, remove foil, and cool.
2) Pulse the parsley, basil, capers, vinegar, and garlic in a food processor until combined. Slowly add oil and continue to pulse until combined.
3) Remove the chicken from the liquid an thinly slice across the grain. Transfer to plate and top with sauce.

I served this on top of cooled angel hair pasta. It's a nice light dish for a hot day like today!

...another thank you card

With summer comes the task of cutting the grass. Luckily (or not so luckily,) I live in a townhouse that has a laid brick back yard and a small grassy front yard. It is hardly large enough to roll a lawn mower around so a weed whacker does the trick. However, we don't own a weed whacker-- but my neighbor does. On my way into the house after a long day of work, I notice how lovely my small grass plot was. I had no idea my neighbor whacked the grass, so being the recluse that I am, I walked past their open front door greeting them with nothing more than a nod. It wasn't until later that Isaias told me they treated us. I made this thank you card for them. Really simple... and to the point.

Ta da!