naan

Naan Margherita Flatbread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Naan Margherita Flatbread! Naan is an exotic oven-baked bread that makes the perfect personal size pizza. It can be made from scratch, but today’s version was available at my local supermarket bakery. I was looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that wouldn’t weigh me down. Add fresh ingredients and you have a healthy choice for dinner. Basil was in abundance in my herb garden, so I decided to utilize it. Yum!

NAAN MARGHERITA FLATBREAD

Ingredients:

One slice of naan bread

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated 

8 cherry tomatoes, halved

8-10 basil leaves, whole and cut

1/8 teaspoon oregano 

Sea salt to taste

Cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Spread olive oil on naan flatbread. Layer mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, tomato halves, and basil leaves. Sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Bake on a pizza stone sprinkled with corn meal for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted. 

Naan Italian Meatball Wraps

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Palatable Possibilities: Naan Italian Meatball Wraps! Don’t you just love naan? It is a nice alternative to a sub bun or slice of bread when desiring a sandwich. For those who haven’t tried it yet, naan is a soft flatbread which typically has any airy-like texture. I find it more appealing than pita bread, which tends to be a little drier. Because this recipe included a marinara sauce, naan helps to soak up the flavors and keep the sauce from dripping out, most likely due to the small pockets of air. Looks like it’s time for you to give it the taste test and tell me what YOU think.

NAAN ITALIAN MEATBALL WRAPS

Ingredients:

16 Italian meatballs, frozen pre-made variety; thawed

16 ounces pizza sauce

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

4 mini naan portions

Baker’s twine

Instructions:

Place Italian meatballs in a microwave-safe covered dish. Heat on High for 3-4 minutes. Drain excess liquid, if any. Add pizza sauce and heat in microwave on 50% for 3 minutes. Remove and set aside. Layer one mini naan on a microwave-safe plate. Sprinkle with a few drops of water; cover with parchment paper. Repeat others to form a stack. Warm naan in the microwave on 40% power for 30 seconds. Repeat, if needed. This will soften the naan in order to make it pliable. Working quickly, arrange 4 meatballs and sauce in each mini naan. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Secure the stuffed wrap with bakers twine. Transfer meatball wrap to a plate. Repeat until all four are complete. Microwave again on 20% power for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

White Chicken Flatbread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Bright Ideas: White Chicken Flatbread! Nowadays I look for any excuse to have pizza, or a close second. All I have to do is go to my freezer to decide what ingredients to use. In there is often naan flatbread, precooked grilled chicken strips, and previously oven-baked bacon. In lieu of marinara sauce, creamy ranch dressing makes a tasty sauce. People know cheese is always my friend, along with fresh veggies, herbs, and spices. Throw it all together and boom; 20 minutes later it’s ready to eat. I think I deserve a star for that.

WHITE CHICKEN FLATBREAD

Ingredients:

1 Naan flatbread

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon cornmeal

1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing

4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

1 cup precooked, grilled chicken chunks

1/4 cup precooked bacon, crumbled

2 tablespoons sweet onions, chopped

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Brush the bottom side of the naan flatbread with olive oil; dust with cornmeal. Transfer to a pizza stone. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and assemble the ingredients. Spread the ranch dressing onto the top crust. Layer, in order, the fresh mozzarella slices, grilled chicken chunks, bacon crumbles, and sweet onions. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden. Serve immediately.

Xtra Cheesy White Flatbread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Time To Eat: Xtra Cheesy White Flatbread! Know what’s better than chewy pizza-like dough? Chewy pizza-like dough slathered in a mountain of cheese that turns gooey after it’s baked! Honestly, cheese can become addictive. I’ve (finally) broken my cravings for added salt by no longer reaching for the salt shaker at the kitchen table. But, cheese. Now, that’s another story. I’m crazy for extra sharp Cheddar, creamy Brie, pungent Bleu, nutty Jarlsberg, smoky Gouda, and the list goes on.

XTRA CHEESY WHITE FLATBREAD

Ingredients:

1 prepared flatbread

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon cornmeal

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated

4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Red pepper flakes and dried oregano, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Rub the bottom of the flatbread with olive oil; sprinkle with cornmeal, garlic powder, and sea salt. Place seasoned side down on a baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes; remove from oven. Cover the top side with fresh mozzarella cheese slices, grated parmesan cheese, and gorgonzola cheese crumbles. Bake 10 minutes longer, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Cool slightly before cutting into pieces.

Uff-Da Bread Tacos

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Cheerful Choices: Uff-Da Bread Tacos! Did you know there is a difference between naan and pita bread? Pita bread is definitely enhanced by all the ingredients stuffed into it. Naan, on the other hand, is made with egg and yogurt-instead of water-which are typically fermented (or rested) in the dough before baking in a clay oven, which makes it chewy and delicious. The texture is different and more pliable. Have I piqued your curiosity? If so, now it’s time to see for yourself. You’re welcome.

UFF-DA BREAD TACOS

Ingredients:

4 single-serving naan bread slices

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound ground chorizo

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup picante sauce, divided

1 cup romaine lettuce, gently torn

1 cup pinto beans, drained

1 cup Mexican blend cheeses, finely shredded

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup black olives, sliced

1/2 cup sour cream

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook chorizo. Break apart the meat as it cooks. Drain off excess grease. Reduce heat to low; sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and black pepper. Mix well. Simmer 2 minutes. Keep warm. Warm grill pan, over medium-high heat; brush pan with vegetable oil. Use remaining vegetable oil to lightly coat naan on both sides. Place naan slices on pan for 1 minute; flip and repeat for one minute longer. Naan will be slightly charred, soft, and pliable. Remove pan from heat. Set aside. To assemble bread tacos, spoon picante sauce on each naan. Layer with romaine lettuce leaves, pinto beans, crumbled chorizo, Mexican blend cheeses, red onion slices, and black olives. Top with a dollop of sour cream and the remaining picante sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

Tomato Herb Cheese Naan

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Cheerful Choices: Tomato Herb Cheese Naan! The other day I sent my husband to the grocery store with a short list of produce items. Sounds simple, right? Within 15 minutes, I had several frantic texts asking me to clarify the type of tomatoes I needed him to buy. Perhaps you can understand his quandary. Years ago, a shopper had their choice of garden tomatoes or cherry tomatoes. Nowadays, you practically need an Old Farmer’s Almanac to clarify all the different varieties like Cherry, Grape, Green, Roma, Beefsteak, Campari, Cocktail, San Marzano, and Vine-Ripened tomatoes. Sheesh! All I really wanted were fresh tomatoes.

TOMATO HERB CHEESE NAAN

Ingredients:

1 prepared naan, store bought

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon cornmeal

6-8 cocktail tomatoes, sliced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon basil

1/8 teaspoon marjoram

Fresh oregano leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven 400°. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick oil. Set aside. Brush the bottom of the naan. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Transfer naan to the baking sheet, bottom side down. Bake 5 minutes. Remove pan and set aside. Meanwhile, to prepare tomatoes, arrange sliced cocktail tomatoes on a cutting board; sprinkle with kosher sea salt. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Arrange sliced fresh mozzarella over naan. Layer with cocktail tomatoes. Sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, basil, and marjoram. Bake 15 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted and golden. Cool slightly, cut into portions. Garnish with fresh oregano leaves. Serve warm.

Flatbread Fiesta

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Cheerful Choices: Flatbread Fiesta! Do you ever tire of the same old pizza choices? I get in a rut the same way everyone else does. About that time I stand in front of the freezer, door open, peering into its contents searching for ideas to try something extraordinary. Sure, I’m the one buying the groceries (and should know what’s in the house) but that’s when I surprise myself with unexpected specials. Chorizo is one of those impulse items that make it into the cart. I often fry it up, crumble it for meals later on, label it, and then store it in the freezer for another day. It’s at times like this I pat myself on the back with congratulations for having such foresight.

FLATBREAD FIESTA

Ingredients:

1 naan flatbread

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon cornmeal

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup chunky salsa, prepared

1 cup Mexican cheeses, shredded

1/2 cup cooked chorizo, drained and crumbled

2 tablespoons yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons green chilies, chopped

2 tablespoons jalapeño peppers, chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick oil. Set aside. Rub olive oil on bottom of flatbread. Spread with cornmeal, pressing into the dough. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Flip over and place this side down on prepared baking sheet. Brush top with remaining olive oil. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove flatbread from oven. Carefully spoon chunky salsa over flatbread, spreading to edges. Layer Mexican cheeses over top. Divide cooked and crumbled chorizo over salsa. Finish layering with chopped onions, green chilies, and jalapeño peppers. Bake 15 minutes longer to melt the cheeses for a nice crispy crust. Remove flatbread from oven. Cool slightly before using a pizza cutter. Serve with a tossed garden salad.

Flatbread Gone Wild

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Elevated Edibles: Flatbread Gone Wild! Have you ever peeked through the window on the oven door while food is baking? Of course you have. Everyone does. The surprise you’ll find when baking wild ramps is the leaves puff up as though filling with air like a balloon animal at a child’s birthday party. It’s fun to see and totally unexpected. They almost seem to take on a life of their own. If you’re worried about the leaves popping, take a cake tester and pierce them beforehand, just to be sure. Personally, I like to roast wild ramps long enough to char the edges for a subtle hint of smokiness.

FLATBREAD GONE WILD

Ingredients:

1 prepared flatbread

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon cornmeal

1/4 cup marinara sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 pound wild ramps, washed and patted dry

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed oregano

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Brush the bottom of the flatbread with olive oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Bake for 5 minutes on a pizza stone. Remove from oven, brush the top of the crust with olive oil. Spread on the marinara sauce, stopping before the edges. Layer mozzarella cheese over sauce. Arrange wild ramps lengthwise over cheese. Sprinkle with sea salt and crushed oregano. Bake 20 minutes until the cheese bubbles and the edges are crisp.

Meatball Pizzetta

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Table Food: Meatball Pizzetta! Need a late-night snack beyond a bag of chips or a bowl of ice cream? Don’t get me wrong, there was a time in my life when I self-medicated with a pint of Turkish Coffee Ice Cream, at least 3 or 4 times a week. No regrets and certainly no judgment here. What I recently discovered, though, is a mini portion of authentic flatbread, packaged in a 4-count. Just the right size to become a pizzetta for one. I always seem to have a jar of homemade Italian marinara in my fridge. And mozzarella cheese? Well, that’s practically a staple around my house as well. Do you see the wheels turning? This is how my kitchen is stocked. Because you never know when a craving will hit.

MEATBALL PIZZETTA

Ingredients:

I mini naan flatbread

2-3 tablespoons marinara sauce, prepared

1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

3-5 small frozen Italian meatballs, thawed

1 tablespoon pickled red onions

Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°. If you have a pizza stone, place it on the rack while the oven is warming. Take a mini naan flatbread and place it on a plate. Spread a layer of marinara, stopping short of the edges. Layer naan with shredded mozzarella cheese. Arrange Italian meatballs on top. Transfer pizzetta to a preheated pizza stone. Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and crust is crunchy. Carefully remove from oven, add pickled red onions, and slice pizzetta. Garnish with fresh basil.