Pita Pizza

So needless to say, I'm still living off my finds at the farmers market last week. But I had really been craving pizza lately. But didn't want a whole pie. So went to my local grocery store and found some whole wheat pocket-less pitas and had a great, and healthy lunch. The salad is romaine lettuce with tomato and peppers, all from the farmers market. The pizza is turkey pepperoni (who knew) peppers, thinly sliced tomatoes, with freshly shredded Parmesan, habanero, and garlic cheese (the last 2 were from the farmers market), and some pasta sauce.

Now here's the fun part. Since this is just about a personal size pizza you can make it with whatever you like. There are a ton of sauce flavor you can buy in you grocery store or even make yourself. Use and vegetable you like or none at all. Cook up your favorite meats or use your leftovers and make pies for you and the whole family.

I'll leave a few of what I would suggest but feel free to have fun and be creative.

White Pizza
Mozzarella cheese
Provolone cheese
Alfredo sauce
Cubed chicken breast
Italian season (optional)

• Spread a few table spoons of Alfredo sauce over pita leaving a little edge (your crust if you will)
• Add chicken and seasoning if using
• Sprinkle as much of little cheese as you like over the top
• Cook in oven at 350 for 10min or until cheese has melted to your liking

Roasted Veggie Pizza
Sliced zucchini
Sliced mushrooms
Sliced red onion
Sliced peppers
Olive oil
Ricotta cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Basil, chopped
Oregano, chopped
Parsley, chopped

• Toss veggies in about a table spoons of olive oil
• Roasted veggies on a sheet tray in the oven (15min at 500 degrees)
• Spread ricotta over pita
• Add veggies and herbs
• Sprinkle with mozzarella 
• Bake in oven just until cheese is melted

Sausage Pizza
Pizza sauce (can use any tomato based sauce you like)
Cooked sausage (Italian sausage or just ground meat)
Cheese (I suggest using more than one type)

• Spread sauce over pita
• Add meat to the pie
• sprinkle with cheese
• Bake in oven pre-heat to 350 until cheese is melted 

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Black Bean and Corn Salsa with Homemade Tortilla Chips 

There is no exact science to making salsa. There are no real tips either. A good salsa starts and ends with the freshest ingredients you can find making summer in Chicago the perfect time to make a bowl. You can find (almost) everything you need for this salsa at your local Farmers Market here in Chicago.

3 ears of corn (in husk)

1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 small red onion, diced
2 tbsp minced garlic

3-4 green onion, chopped

3 jalapeno peppers (can use other peppers), diced

3-4 nice sized tomatoes, diced

cilantro (fresh or dried), finely chopped

basil (fresh or dried), chopped or chiffonade

salt and pepper, to taste

1-2 tbsp olive oil (optional)

bell pepper, chopped (optional)

Chiffonade is a method of taking leafy greens (the basil in this case) and finely cut up. Stack and roll the leafs as you would a cigar and cut into thin slices. Click here for a quick video tutorial.

Blanching is a quick cook and cool method used in vegetables and fruit. Take the tomatoes and lightly score the bottom with an X. In a boiling pot of water drop the tomatoes in until u see the skin peeling away. carefully remove from the water and place them in a bowl of ice water. Once cool enough to handle peel away skin and dice the tomato. Click here for a quick video tutorial.

The easiest way to cook your corn in the husk, just throw it in the own. After you've washed it off of course. I usually turn my oven to 350 degrees and leave it in the till I smell the husk burning. No you house will not burn down but your corn will be extremely juicy and the husk will hold in the flavor. after you remove it from the oven allow it to cool and just cut it off the cob into the bowl you will be using for the salsa. Make a extra one to enjoy for yourself as well :-)

Add all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir it together. Add the salt and pepper to taste and store in the refrigerator at least an hour before serving (if you don't end up eating it as you finish).
Try baking your own chips and serving at your next party. I'll include that recipe down below in the tips.

Have fun and a message if you love/hated this recipe. I'd love to hear your feedback.

TIPS:

• Always remember the heat from peppers is in the seeds. So the less seeds the less heat. 
• You can make this completely with tomatoes/corn if you like maybe just add more tomatoes/corn
• I love red onions but any onion will do just fine
• Bake your own chips. It's easy. Just take some tortilla shells and brush with oil or butter and cut into quarters. Sprinkle with cumin, if you have it, and salt before putting in oven. Place in a preheated oven of 350 for 7min turn the pan and bake an additional 5min. Chips are best when served warm.