Flatbread and Summer

Summer has been a bit fickle in it's appearance this year - seeming more interested in raining than shining...  so the days have been cool and the nights cooler.  This last week , however, it looks like we got our first 90+ day and it's here for an abbreviated run.  SO - it just seemed like the time was right for a return to some of our garden fresh summer fare!

Nothing like homemade flatbread to act as the carrier for ANY fresh veggie, dip or veggie dip from the garden to your mouth.  The flatbread recipe is simple - makes about 8 breads that cane be baked on the grill (as shown) in a stove top skillet or in the oven on a stone.  We have found - when the summer gets hot - keeping the cooking heat outside is the way to go.

Simple Summer Flatbread

2 c. flour

2/3 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. warm water 1 packet dried yeast

2 T. local honey

2 pinches salt

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

Mix the honey and the yeast in the warm water - wait 5 minutes... there should be a foamy surface that forms in the mixing cup - if not - discard and start over. In a stand mixer (if you have one) add flour and salt - make a small well in the center - add olive oil to well. Turn on mixer and add water/honey/yeast mixture. Add 1 T water or flour as needed to make a smooth dough ball and knead for 5-8 minutes.

Let stand for 20 minutes in warm summer air.

With your hands gently form a long baguette shape and cut with sharp knife into 8 equal sized balls. Flatten each ball and roll on lightly floured surface with rolling pin until about 1/8" thick. Place 2 completed flatbreads next to each other on med-hot grill and close top for about 30 second to 1 minute depending on your preference for done-ness and the heat of the grill. Open grill lid and flip the bread over with tongs for another 30 seconds of baking with the lid closed.

STOVETOP NOTE: same step - and use a nonstick skillet for best results

OVEN NOTE: Get the stone up to 550, slide the flat bread on, after 30 second open oven quickly and pierce large center bubble before flipping over Once the flatbread is done - stack them on-top of each other on a dinner plate, the steam from each other will keep them soft and pliable

Serve warm - or store them and make flat bread anything later!