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.

Fresh Flatbreads At Your Fingers

Fresh baked bread has the most wonderful aroma and flavor in the world.However it can be too much to make, especially on these sweltery days.Not to despair.Flat bread comes to the rescue.Make it , grill it and then eat it in all of six minutes flat. Melissa Clark discovered this as well and wrote about it in her weekly column A Good Appetite in Wednesday's Dining section.One aspect of flatbreads that makes them more interesting than regular bread is the fact that they can be stuffed as well being baked in less than ten minutes. Any home baker can have a field day with what to put in them.She recommends cheese olive and even coconuts.Meat can also be added.Try cooked sausage or even bacon.While she recommends avocado ,Iwould try tomatoamd mozzarella.You could also try other veggies, such as cooked pepper or zucchini with a drizzle of garlic infused olive oil.Flat breads can be made plain, perfect for barbecued brochettes, (see yesterday's entry). Or even as earthy buns for sliders. As with any bread, it's the process that"s the most important.Since flatbread is a grilled instead, the dough should be cold when thrown on the grill.this eliminates the dough sticking to everything from the cutting board to the grill(and no one like to scrape burnt bread off a barbecue grate).Ms Clark's recipe is for whole wheat with honey as a sweetener.This is the most healthiest and actually original tasting however you can add white flour and a pinch of sugar if yup want.She also adds three quarters of a cup of yogurt to give the bread body.If you make the stuffed kind make. Sure you don't overstuffed the dough.Use two tablespoons of whatever filling to fill each individual flat breadFirmly press the seams together.A word of warning.Don't do this outside .Hot temps and the atmosphere will turn the dough into a paste.Form the flat breads inside and then bring them put to the prepped grill.Brush both sides with olive oil and then grill for three minutes.Flip and grill for thee more minutes.Serve hot.Sprinkle with seasalt and dip into flavored olive oil. Flatbread is an easy bread to make during these hot days.Slap it on the grill to enjoy , whether it be stuffed with tasty meats and cheeses or plain.It's a summery way to enjoy the taste and smell of fresh bread.

Chili's All Spiced Up

Not that long ago Chili's Restaurant had basically, well, boring food, typical of what you'd find in any chain restaurant.The food was OK, with the typical array of burgers, soups and salads.It's all changed The beloved chain has given itself a spicy shake.The result? Fun, flavorful dishes. I spent lunchtime at the restaurant, excited with the new choices, It's more like it's cousin,the attached Mexican restaurant On The Border. There 's a strong Tex Mex vibe but not so loaded with fajitas and chilis( although those dishes are featured)The kitchen has embraced new food trends like flatbread which is crispy and flavorful.It's served in a long narrow dish.It was a spin on the Margherita pizza, with fresh tomatoes and basil but with the addition of a drizzle of cilantro basil pesto.The other flatbreads have the plus of chicken and avocados.The flatbread was like a crispy cracker with a tangy topping. They have many more burgers, starting with a traditional cheeseburger to burgers loaded with applewood bacon and sauces.Try their chicken quesadillas,.These are laden with chicken and cheese complete with salsa and black beans.There's also a chicken enchilada soup that is like a tasty cheese soup loaded with chicken along with another chicken soup.This is closest to a true Mexican recipe with hominy or maize added along with tortilla strips. Chili's has maintained some of it's American dishes. They still serve thickly cut steaks with a delicate garlic butter along with the traditional broccoli and mashed potatoes.There's also the homey country fried steak with a black pepper gravy along with fresh corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.Another dish that could come straight from a country kitchen is a rack of ribs graced by cinnamon apples and homestyle fries.Luckily Chili's provides lighter fare with salads and fish.The salads are not your typical fare.There's the Caribbean salad, full of fruit and veggies plus chicken along with quesadilla salad that has the addition of extra quesadillas.For those truly watching their weight, Chili's has a mango salsa tilapia,and for really healthy fare, there's salmon with just broccoli and rice.The desserts are pure Chili's , starting with the yummy skillet cookies.Diners can have the choice of the giant chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie, complete with a scoop of vanilla and drizzles of caramel or chocolate.There's also the brownie sundae and a New York cheesecake as well as the very decadent molten chocolate cake that has every decadent plus, from a candy shell to ice cream to gooey chocolate. Go to your neighborhood Chili's.It's livened up with new dishes,from Tex Mex fare to fun desserts.It's far from a boring chain ,restaurant with ho hum fair.It's amped up its dishes with new recipes and ingredients.