Various Flatbreads

 Flatbread satisfy the need for a quick but satisfying meal. They could be anything from pizza to a Tarte flambe to focaccia. They're easy to make and the toppings can be as elaborate or as simple as you make them.

Flatbreads are one of the oldest foods in the  world , first coming into existence around 12,400 BCE in what is now modern Jordan.Back then they were just a mix of flour and water, usually grilled on  a hot surface such as a heated stone.Flabread comes in different shapes depending on where you're in. It's naan in India, pita in the Middle East and focaccia in Italy. A simple quick flatbread involves flour water and surprisingly yogurt. Some recipes call for this last. Some don't. A really simple recipe just has water and flour  along with sugar and salt. Most of them don't have yeast, however the Greek version does have.This is what makes the Greek bread have that light fluffiness that goes well with souvlaki. As with any yeasty dough it has to sit and rise for about an hour to an hour and a half.Naan is a bit different  with the addition of the melted butter or ghee along with milk. Pita is truest in form to the original flatbread.There's - only the most basic of ingredients. It ;s an easy make and a great alternative to regular bread.

WHat do you put on flatbread? Pita screams for za'atar - that zingy Middle Eastern spice blend that consists of thyme, marjoram and oregano, mixed with toasted sesame, salt and sumac. This is mixed with olive oil and either drizzled (or slathered) over warmed pita.Shawarma , which can be grilled chicken or beef is also good on it Thee meat is grilled in a spice blend call shawarma spice which has cumin, turmeric  garlic and paprika in it. Lamb can also be cooked this way too. As for Greek flatbread nothing beats souvlaki . This last is meat cooked in a mix of  oregano, paprika and rosemary. Of course there is lemon toto to give the dish some zest. Italian flatbread or focaccia is best known and there are so many debates as to what to top it with. A simple topping is olive oil and black or green olives. Yet for a tastier mix try topping one with sundried tomatoes and marinated onions.. Meats and fish like pepperoni and anchovies can be added for more substance and flavor too.

Flabreads with toppings are nice alternatives to sandwiches and pizzas. Bake them and top them with tasty veggies and meats. They're a perfect lunch or dinner.

Your Best Dip And Salsa Cookbook

Nothing is more fun than a big bowl of home made dips and anything to scoop it up.Thanks to a brand new cookbook, the home chef and chief party thrower can create some tasty spreads, perfect with homemade chips.Even better the dips are versatile.Have them while entertaining friends on the patio or sharing a movie with the kids on movie night.They're a great appetizer or snack. Authors Judith Finlayson and Jordan Wagman have come up with a great cookbook 150 Best Dips and Salsa (Robert Rose Press 2014)solely devoted to dips and salsa.There are also chip recipes too for those who want to create the whole party from scratch gathering.This book is chock full of neat recipes and hints.Ms Finlayson,and Mr. Wagman go the international route from French tapanade to Middle Eastern hummus.This last has so many variations.There's easy hummus which involves canned chickpeas to hummus from scratch.The scratch one is the most authentic , with the chickpeas being soaked for a good solid six hours before being pulverized.This widely popular dish can also be made with roasted garlic while another recipe calls for the addition of roasted peppers?The surprise is hummus made Greek style with yellow peas or favas along with one consisting of butter beans.For a totally different spin, make their walnut hummus to awe your party crowd. Another Middle Eastern treat, baba ghanouj is also included ,and this is a great ,spread , redolent with grilled eggplant and tahini.Feta lovers will be in heaven too.There are some interesting recipes that involve the Greek cheese along with some interesting add INS.Toss in some chopped kalamata olives or a squirt of lemon.Tahini, a Hellenic specialty too, is represented as is tzatziki. Of course dips and salsas are the main stars here.The authors toss in some humor too, as see in in the bloody Mary dip.It's a fun take on the brunch drink sauces with a drop of vodka.Onion dip, the classic American party must have is amped up a few notches with caramelized red onions and different cheeses such as Swiss and Parmesan.Other veggies such as water cress and fennel are also turned into spreads.Tomatoes ,usually a staple in salsa, also shine in dip.Ms .Finlayson and Mr .Wagner give us roasted tomatoes along with a tomato and mushroom one.Tomatoes along with other fresh veggies as well as fruit loom large in their many salsa recipes.A very good one, perfect for a summer soirée is a tomato and spinach one.Thyme and garlic season this and would be good spooned over crostini or pita chips.Two other perfect salsas for right now are the fresh tomato along with summer tomato salsa.The last also includes, fresh chiffonaded basil leaves for that straight from the garden flavor.For a heartier salsa, try the Avocado and corn one.It is spiced with all sorts of peppers from the mild bell kind to fiery jalapenos.Other veggies such as radishes, green beans,corn and cucumber find their way into dips too.Fruit slash are here and they could either go with chips or jazz up a simple bowl of chocolate or vanilla ice cream.For this try the spicy pineapple banana one.There is also one that's reminiscent of Turkey stuffing using apples and cranberries.The back of the cookbook is devoted solely to dippers, from the simple crostini and pita chips to the more elaborate corn cakes and potato wedges. 150 Best Dips And Salsas is a home library's must have.There is a wealth of great party and snack foods in it ,perfect for any kind of gathering.Get it and enjoy the wide variety of fun dips and dippers! 150 Best Dips and Salsas is the perfect cookbook for people who not only love to throw parties but for those,e chefs who just love fun foods.It is chock full with some of the best dips and salsas.Get it.It will definitely snacking and partying.