"pita chips" news and stories

Sunday afternoon, I found myself in a building full of art. It was the first of two weekends in which artists' studios all over Philadelphia are open to the public for viewing and opportunities to meet the artists. It's a program called Philadelphia Open Studio Tour (POST). I went to check out my friend Wendy Wolf's studio. Her work is amazing, looking like organic textiles that have been translated onto paper. When I got there, we chatted for a few minutes about her work and life in general, but quickly the conversation turned to food.

She pointed me in the direction of the snacks she had made for her visitors and I was transfixed by the goodness of it all (it didn't hurt that I had also skipped lunch). The standout was the whole wheat pita with parmesan cheese chips that she had created. They were delicious and once I started to gush over them, she willingly confessed that they were something she had found in Gourmet four or five years ago and are very easy to make. So, if you need an easy gallery snack or something crunchy for a cocktail party, give these little crackers a try. The recipe is after the jump.

I love pita chips. They're incredibly delicious, addictive and easy. They only take about 5 minutes to whip up and are so much fresher than anything you can buy, not to mention that homemade chips are healthier than anything you can buy. Serve the chips with hummus, guacamole, salsa or any other favorite dip. Feel free to vary the seasoning to your personal tastes by using chili or curry powders. You can make them in advance by letting them cool completely on a wire rack, then packing them in a plastic bag for a day or two.

Homemade Pita Chips

1 ½ tsp cumin
1 tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic Powder
Black pepper and salt, to taste
2 Pitas

Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Mix together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Cut Pitas into 8-12 pieces and split each piece in half to make thin chips. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray.
Sprinkle evenly with spice mixture, but use your own judgment in deciding how much to put on the chips.
Broil for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown.

[Photo by Nicole Weston]