Jacks Middle Eastern Style Pita Bread Recipes

Steps:

• For the sponge, in a large bowl, combine the yeast and water, mix well. Using a wooden spoon, stir in 1 cup of the wheat flour at a time. Stir until the mixture is smooth and silky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour. Sprinkle the sponge with the salt. Stir in the olive oil. Stir in 1 cup of the flour at a time and mix until the dough is too stiff to stir with the spoon. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set the dough in a draft-free area and allow to rise until double in size, about 2 to 3 hours.
• Line the bottom rack of the oven with baking stones. Leaving a 1-inch border free around the tiles so that the heat can circulate properly. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough a couple of times and divide in half. Cover one half of the dough with plastic wrap while working with the other dough. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into 8 balls. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a circle 8 to 9 inches in diameter and less than 1/4-inch thick. Place each circle of dough next to each other on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Repeat the above process with the remaining dough. Bake the circles of dough in batches, about 4 to 6 rounds at a time. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the breads look like blown-up balloons. Remove from the oven and cover with a kitchen towel until the remaining rounds are baked. To Store: pita bread is best is used the day it is made, but it can be wrapped airtight and frozen for 1 month. Thaw and reheat on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F over before serving

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add dry elbow pasta to boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes or until al dente, drain and reserve.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add chicken, cilantro, salt, cumin, pepper and tomatoes; saute for 3 to 4 more minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
• In a separate large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and whisk in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Place back on medium-high heat, slowly whisk in milk and bring to a boil while continuously whisking. Reduce heat and stir in Cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked Cheddar and cream cheese until melted and smooth.
• Stir in cooked elbow noodles and chicken mixture. Pour mac and cheese mixture into a greased 3 quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and bread crumbs. Toss to coat and sprinkle crumbs and pepitas over top of mac and cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crumbs browned. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. For salsa, combine first 4 ingredients; stir in 1 tablespoon oil., Brush pepper halves and onion slices with remaining oil. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place vegetables and chicken on an oiled grill rack over medium heat. Grill, covered, until vegetables are tender and a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, 4-6 minutes per side., Cut vegetables and chicken into strips; toss with cheese. Spoon into pita halves; place on a baking sheet. Bake until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. Serve with salsa and, if desired, guacamole and sour cream.