Baked Pita Chips

Nothing irritates me more than seeing a $3 bag of pita chips in the store.  You can get a package of pita bread usually for $1 or LESS!  I find that unless you have a store in your area that makes it or gets it fresh you will usually find pita bread a little on the dry side.  That is actually perfect because pita bread that is a day or so old is the BEST for making your own pita chips!  What is the benefit of doing it yourself?  You save money, you control what is in/on them, you save some calories from using less fat.  They are super easy and fast to make and great to have on hand…used whole wheat pita for added nutritional benefit!  I like them nice and simple like this but you can also flavor them with dried herbs, garlic powder, flavored oils, or whatever you like.

• 1 package (about 6) Pita Bread
• 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ teaspoon Sea Salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

First, slice the pita bread into quarters.  I like to separate the pieces so they are a little bit thinner.  Lay them out on a sheet pan in close to a single layer (you can overlap slightly).

Second, drizzle sparingly with the oil and sprinkle with salt.  I use a decent Extra Virgin Olive Oil because you want something that tastes good since there is so little going on to compete with the flavor. 

Finally, bake for about 15 – 20 minutes until JUST golden brown.  If you don’t separate the layers then you may want to cook a bit longer and they will be super crunchy.

How easy is this?!  One package of pita bread will make a big bowl of chips.  You will probably have to do this in 2 batches.  I like these with any dip really, but especially hummus.  These are a great accompaniment for soups as well!  Enjoy!

Pepperoni Chips

Okay...pepperoni chips?  I love pepperoni a lot…what I don’t love about it is all of the fat that goes along with it…plus it tends to come on a cheesy fatty pizza…lol.  I’m certainly not a health food nut by any means but I will take the help where I can get it.  This recipe is not a genius revelation by any means but it is certainly handy to have.  You can eat these as part of a cheese platter with some wine (as I did this time), crumble on a salad, crumble on some pasta dish you want to give a different twist to, or even put it into a grilled cheese sandwich.  The possibilities are endless…and when you see how easy it is you will do it OFTEN.

• Thinly sliced Pepperoni
• Waxed Paper
• Sheet Pan (cookie sheet)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

All you have to do is lay the wax paper down on the pan to prevent a tragic sticking incident, lay the pepperoni down on a single layer, and pop it in the oven!

Bake for about 15 minutes, remove from oven and immediately put on some paper towels.  You will see a lot of fat in the pan and then some in the paper towels when all is said and done…better there than in you!

After they are cooled they will be crispy and full of pepperoni flavor!

I think of this as really more of a method than a “recipe”.  I have seen it used for salami, sliced prosciutto, and even pancetta.  You can do whatever you want with it.  I have used it as I stated above, in mac n’ cheese, sandwiches, etc.  Give it a shot next time you have the oven on…it is well worth it!

Breakfast Parfait

I love to eat and indulge just as anyone does.  I do like to feel good about what I eat most of the time.  These parfaits are very simple but incredibly delicious!  I prefer Greek yogurt because it is thick and creamy without any of the guilt! The parfaits are good and satisfying on their own as a complete, balanced breakfast.  I like mine with a cup of coffee, of course!

• 2 Cups plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
• ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 – 2 Tablespoons pure Honey
• 1 Pint Strawberries, quartered
• 1 Cup homemade or store bought plain Granola
• ½ Cup dried cranberries

First, put the Greek yogurt in a bowl, add orange zest, cinnamon, and honey to taste.  Whisk together until combined, set aside.

Second, mix the granola (I like to make my own) with dried cranberries.

Finally, use four small drinking glasses to layer ingredients.  Layer yogurt, then the granola mixture, then strawberries in the glasses; alternate until glasses are full.  Enjoy!

This is so good, I can’t even tell you!  This makes me feel like I’m eating dessert for breakfast but is surprisingly satisfying.