Homemade Whole Wheat Pita Bread

Pita Bread as popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries as Roti is in India. It resembles Naan and Pizza Crust. Most Pitas are baked at high temperatures causing the flattened rounds of dough to puff up dramatically.

" Whole Wheat" Do I need to be more specific about this bread??? No na!!! Whole Wheat alone sounds so healthy. It contains vitamins, minerals and protein. It's more nutritious than

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas are good source of protein, folate, fiber and iron. This chickpea salad taste so light and flavorful using fresh herbs and vegetables. Fresh vegetables will add crunchiness to this salad.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Soaked, Boiled Chickpeas
• 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 1 Red Pepper, Chopped
• 1/2 Red Onion, Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Corn, Boiled
• 1/2 English Cucumber, Chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Basil, Chopped
• 2 Tablespoon Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, Chopped
• 1 garlic Clove, minced
• 1 Tablespoon Red wine Vinegar
• 2 Teaspoon Honey
• 1/2 Teaspoon Coarse Salt
• 8 Whole Black Peppercorns, crushed
• 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. Add chickpeas to a large bowl.
2. Make a paste of garlic and 1/2 tsp salt. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in crushed peppercorns, red wine vinegar, honey and extra virgin olive oil.
3. Pour dressing over chickpeas. Let stand for 30 minutes.
4. Toss in tomatoes, corn, cucumber, basil and cilantro. Season more if desired.
5. Serve immediately.

Hummus

Hummus is the most famous of all middle eastern dips. Hummus is an Arabic word meaning "Chickpeas". You can serve hummus as an appetizer and a dip. It is also served as part of a meze or as an accompaniment to Falafel, Grilled chicken, Tortilla chips, Crackers or Eggplant. It is tasty and nutritious, but also low in calories.  Hummus is a creamy puree of chickpea, tahini (sesame seeds paste) seasoned with lemon juice and garlic.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup boiled Chickpeas, drained
• 1/8 Cup liquid from chickpea
• 1 Tbsp fresh Lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Clove Garlic- roughly chopped
• 1 Tbsp Tahini paste ( sesame seeds paste)
• Salt to taste about 1/2 tsp

Direction

1. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, reserving about half tablespoon for garnish. Place lemon juice, garlic, tahini and salt. Add 1/8 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Process until smooth.
2. Place in serving bowl, and creat a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
3. Add olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley and few chickpeas.
4. Serve with pita bread .

Notes :-

• Variations- Sprinkle with a small amount of paprika and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil. Add  a small red chili (chopped) if you like a spicier hummus.
• Hummus can be refrigerated, covered, for up to one week and frozen for up to 3 months.
• Adjust seasoning according to your taste.