Split Pea Soup and Pita Bread

In an attempt to be money and health conscious, here are some very simple recipes that cost almost nothing and are healthy to boot!

Split Pea Soup

1 Onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 or 2 carrots, chopped

1 Tbsp (or so) olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups dried split peas

6 cups chicken stock or water

salt and pepper

Saute the onions, celery and carrots in the olive oil until they're starting to get soft, and the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, saute for another minute. Add the split peas and stock. Bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce to a simmer. Cook, covered, for about 2 hours. Blend or mash before serving. I love a little squirt of ketchup in mine (the acid is a nice touch, and it cools it off faster).

Pita Bread

1 lb (about 3 1/2 cups) flour, I like about half whole wheat, half all purpose or bread flour

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. yeast

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup water

Combine the flour(s), salt, and yeast in a food processor or bowl of a stand mixer. Add oil and water. It should come together as a big ball. If it's too dry, add another tablespoon or 2 of water. Knead by hand for another minute, form a ball. Oil a bowl, and let it rise about 2 hours covered. It should about double in size.

Preheat the oven to 500 with a pizza stone inside. Divide the dough into 10 to 12 balls. Keep the ones you're not working with covered. Roll them on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin. Again, keep them covered, but don't stack them. I can fit 3 or 4 of them on my stone at a time, and they bake (and puff!) in just 3 minutes. If the pitas aren't puffing and making a pocket, they'll still taste great. When rolling them, be sure not to have any creases that might prevent the pocket from forming.

Amazing that you can start at 3:00 and have this delicious and nutritious dinner on the table by 6:00 for just pennies!