Monday, May 30, 2011

12 Simple and Easy Flatbread Recipes

By Paul Thomas


Flatbread has a history that far outreaches the fluffy loaves that line most grocery store cabinets today. Simple in type and versatile, this food rich in culture and religious significance is savoring a modern day renaissance in bistros and household kitchens alike. Here are some flatbread recipe ideas to help get your innovative juices flowing.

Entre Sandwiches


Wholesome, yet uncomplicated, flatbread is the perfect vehicle for highlighting flavorful, good quality ingredients. A Panini press works wonders on some of the hot sandwiches, but is by no means required.


* Roasted Mediterranean Vegetable - layers of roasted eggplant, red pepper, and caramelized onions with an olive tapenade or hummus spread.


* Open Faced Crab Salad - Tender baby lettuce cradles a lightly dressed crab salad topped with creamy avocado slices.


* Organic Kobe Beef Burgers - Topped with smoky gouda, crisp bacon, and just a kiss of hoisin barbecue sauce, this burger shouldn't be hidden by traditional hamburger buns, but celebrated.

* B.L.T. - When was the last time you could taste more B.L.T. than bread? Try lovely applewood smoked bacon, red leaf lettuce and heirloom tomato slices with the light heat of a chipotle mayo nestled into flatbread. Your B.L.T. will never be the same.


* Ultimate Grilled Cheese - Your 4 favorite cheeses - period. Mine are sharp white cheddar, nutty baby swiss, creamy havarti and a zesty smoked pepper jack. Increase the flavor profile with plump ripe tomato slices or bulk it up with deli style oven roasted turkey or black forest ham. There are so many versions; this one might be worth investing in that Panini press I mentioned earlier.



Pizzas


Limited only by your imagination, crank up the oven to 400 and cook for 8 - 10 minutes or till your toppings sizzle and the cheese bubbles.


* Sauted Mushroom and Spinach Alfredo - Sautee your mushrooms ahead of time and make sure the spinach is wilted and drained before layering on the Alfredo foundation to keep this pizza crisp and savory.


* Fajita Pizza - Seasoned fajita style chicken strips, onions, and bell peppers on a refried bean and salsa base, topped with spicy pepper jack cheese.

Kind of like Pizza, But Not Really...

Kind of like Pizza, But Not Really...

* Garlic Bread - Flatbread is the foundation for some seriously great garlic bread. Top with butter or olive oil and beneficiant amounts of chopped garlic, flat leaf parsley and a few dashes of paprika for color.

Desserts - 2 or 3 minutes on broil and your flat-bread can be a sweet end to any meal.

* Churro Flats - Spread with butter and sprinkle with large raw turbinado sugar and pungent cinnamon.


* Churro Flats - Spread with butter and sprinkle with large raw turbinado sugar and pungent cinnamon.


* Hazelnut Chocolate Flats - Pre-broil the flatbread, then top while warm with Nutella spread and dark chocolate curls. A handful of pecans or toasted coconut optional, but appreciated.




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