Crispy Grilled Pita / Khubz Chips

          These are nice crispy Pita / Khubz (Arabic Bread) Chips that are grilled to perfection. You can just have them plain or by sprinkling any seasoning of your choice. Both ways they are just perfect as an appetizer or as a tea time snack. 

          You can enjoy them with your favourite dips, hummus , chutney or salsa. They can also replace the papad and can be relished as an accompaniment with your sambar / rasam rice or dal-chawal, a la Indian style.

          I never had any idea that any leftover pita bread can be transformed into such yummy and crispy chips, unless I personally tried them. 

          So it is a perfect comfort snack that goes best with any dip, hummus, chutney or salsa. Any leftover chips can be added to your salad or soup for an interesting fusion food. 

        

           Grilling these pita bread is much simpler and easier than baking them. End result is here for you to see. 

          So if you are looking for some homemade crunchy chips, other than the store bought ones, then these pita bread chips are just perfect. 

          They are also so easy to prepare and completely hassle-free. Enjoy !!

• 3 leftover pita bread / khubz (Arabic Bread)
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• hummus / dip / chutney / salsa to serve

          Cut each pita bread into 8 triangles. 

 

          Place them on a greased baking tray.

          Brush each triangle pieces with olive oil. 

          Grill for 4-5 minutes or till they turn crisp. 

          Serve as an appetizer or snack with hummus / any dip / chutney / salsa.

Mutabbal (Eggplant Dip - Middle Eastern Style)

          Mutabbal is almost similar to Baba Ganoush with few variations. It is a very popular Smokey and a yummy Eggplant Dip in the Middle Eastern countries. Roasted eggplants are mixed together with tahina (sesame paste / powder), olive oil and few other seasonings to make this yummy dip. There are many versions to this particular recipe. So today I added some capsicum and tomatoes to add extra flavor to this dish. 

   

          It is traditionally served with Arabic Pita bread (khubz). But they also tastes great with crackers, veggie crudités, parathas, naan, roasted papad or as a sandwich spread. It is an excellent dip for appetizers / snacks as they are far healthier to any store bought sauces and ketchup. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 large eggplant, roasted
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 capsicum, chopped finely
• 1 tomato, chopped finely
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. sesame powder / paste
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. chopped coriander / parsley leaves
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• 1 tbsp. olive oil + some extra for garnishing

          Discard the charred skin of the roasted eggplant and mash the pulp or chop them finely. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic till they change colour. 

          Add the chopped capsicum and fry for 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt and further sauté for a minute more. Switch off the flame and add the mashed eggplant pulp.

          Add rest of the ingredients and mix well. Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle some extra olive oil.

           Serve as an accompaniment with crackers, veggie crudités, our very own parathas, naan, roasted papad or as a spread on sandwiches. 

                 Discard the charred skin of the roasted eggplant & mash or chop the pulp 
                 finely.

                                  Heat oil & sauté garlic till they change color. 

Add chopped capsicum & fry for 2 minutes.

                   Add tomatoes & a pinch of salt. Sauté for a minute more. Switch off flame.

                   Add mashed eggplant pulp & rest of the ingredients & mix well. Transfer
                   to a serving dish & drizzle some extra olive oil.

                    Serve as an accompaniment with crackers, veggie crudités, our very own 
                    parathas, naan, roasted papad or as a spread on sandwiches. 

Manakish (Arabic Bread with Indian Flavour - Fusion Style)

          Manakish is a very popular Arabic bread made of plain flour and is topped with Zaatar  (Middle Eastern Spice) and cheese. It is generally had as breakfast with olives, cucumbers and tomatoes. They are also served for the main course with meat, hummus and salads. It is almost similar to Pizza. 

           Today I gave a twist to the original recipe and made it with whole wheat flour and topped with some Idli podi (gun powder) and cheese - a la Indian style. It is very easy to make and they go well as snacks with hummus. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy delicacy.

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. olive oil to knead 
• 1 tsp. active yeast
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. zaatar spice mix
• 3 tbsp. grated cheese
• 2 tbsp. idli podi
• olive oil as required

          In a bowl, mix together yeast, sugar and lukewarm water. Cover and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.

          In another bowl, take flour and salt to taste. Make a well in the center and add 1 tbsp. oil. Combine everything well and add the yeast liquid. knead into a dough. Cover with a cling film and keep aside for an hour. 

          Meanwhile in separate individual bowls, mix together zaatar and idli podi with some olive oil and keep aside.

          Divide the dough into 6-7 equal portions. Roll out each portion with your hands into a small round disc. You can also roll the same by dusting some flour.

          Spread the zaatar mix, idli podi mix and the cheese on it according to your preference. 

          Bake in a preheated microwave oven at 180 degrees C for 12-15 minutes (depending on your oven). Serve with hummus, any dip or just relish as it is.

                   Mix yeast, sugar & lukewarm water. Cover & keep aside for 10-15 min.

                                  After 15 minutes it has swelled up.

                  In separate bowls, mix zaatar & idli podi with some olive oil & keep aside.

                 In another bowl, take flour & salt to taste. Make a well in the center & add
                 1 tbsp. oil. 

                                  Combine everything well. 

                                 Add yeast liquid & knead into a dough. 

                                 Cover with a cling film & keep aside for an hour. 

                                 After an hour it has doubled in size.

                  Divide the dough into 6-7 equal portions. Roll out each portion with your hands
                  into a small round disc. You can also roll the same by dusting some flour.

                                  Spread the zaatar mix, idli podi mix & cheese.

                              Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for 12-15 minutes.

                                 Serve with hummus or just relish as it is.