Fresh Pita!

Making your own pita at home is very simple and it's comes out warm and fluffy... you'll never want to go back to store-bought! Originally discovered this recipe from FromMeToYou, a photographer who is also a fantastic cook.

Ingredients:3 cups flour
1 1/2 Tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1 packet of yeast
1 1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together except 1 Tbsp of the oil. Knead for about 10 minutes (I know... your hands are gonna get really tired by about 5 minutes). Cover and leave dough in the warmest spot in your kitchen to rise for 90 minutes. 

After dough has risen, cut into 8 pieces on a lightly floured surface. Roll each into a ball and lightly dust with flour.  Cover with a damp towel and allow to rest for 20 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 400° F, with a sheet pan or pizza stone preheating inside. Flatten balls to about 1/4" thickness. Put pita shaped dough onto heated sheet pan and bake for 5-10 minutes. That's it!

Warm Portobella and Pear Salad

This recipe is simple and elegant. Can be done on the grill or in the oven. Can be made vegan by omitting the cheese.

Ingredients:
4 portobella mushrooms
2 pears
Feta and walnuts for garnish
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp orange or other citrus juice
2 Tbsp maple syrup

Directions:
Slice pears in half and take out seeds and core. If using the oven, place pears cut-side-up and mushroom caps on a sheet pan.
Whisk olive oil, maple syrup and citrus together in a saucepan. Lightly brush the pears and mushrooms with the mixture. Put sheet pan in the oven and turn on broiler for about 5 minutes, or until just slightly browned. If using grill, grill pears and mushrooms until slightly browned or just softened. When finished, allow to cool slightly and slice.

Heat remaining marinade for about 5 minutes to reduce, stirring frequently.

Arrange mushrooms and pears and top with marinade. Sprinkle with feta and walnuts. If desired, serve on top of a bed of greens, rice or other grain.

Delicious Vegan Chocolate Cake

This cake is amazing and super easy.  Recipe origin: Instructables.com.

Cake Ingredients:1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp distilled white or apple cider vinegar

Chocolate Glaze:1/2 cup sugar
4 tbsp margarine
2 tbsp soy milk
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°. Mix dry ingredients together with a fork. Add all other cake ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Pour into a springform or 8"x8" pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

When cake is finished, make chocolate glaze. For glaze, heat all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat for about 7 minutes. Stir often. Pour immediately over cake. Top with fresh fruit or sprinkles if desired!