This is your fifth and final challenge during our month of the Funky Fresh Kitchen. How about that? We’re almost to the end of the month already!
This week, our Funky Fresh Kitchen Challenge is to try something new.
I suppose I should clarify by letting you know that my intention with this challenge is that perhaps we all try a new recipe or two. But if you really want to take the challenge beyond my original intent, you are welcome to try sky diving, or walking backwards everywhere you go, or learning to speak Swahili.
Me? I’m going to try my hand at Whole Wheat Pita Bread. (Besides, I already speak fluent Swahili and had a lovely time sky diving with my family yesterday.)
Oh, I am so stinkin’ hilarious.
And boring.
It is a fact that the idea of trying to make Whole Wheat Pita Bread makes me get all excited and jittery inside. But you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to sky dive. And I think we already know how many languages I speak. (Owhay aboutay uoyay?)
So, just supposing you also have already mastered the art of speaking fluent Swahili, how would you like to join me in trying a new recipe this week?
Awesome.
Is there something you’ve thought about trying but just haven’t had the motivation to get it done? Now’s the time. Maybe you’d like to try making a Homemade Salad Dressing? Or how about Homemade Donuts? Whole Wheat Bagels?
How about trying your hand at Homemade Yogurt, Buttermilk, or Kefir? Or Alfredo Sauce? Or Cheeseburger Macaroni?
Oh, the list can go on and on. Take a look at all of the recipes I have posted on Pinterest. Or simply look through my huge recipes lists on the drop down Recipes link at the top of my site.
Or, of course, you’re welcome to try a recipe from another Website or cookbook. Try anything new that you think your family would like which will take you another step in the direction of having a healthy and Funky Fresh Kitchen.
I’ll report back on Friday to let you know how my Whole Wheat Pita Bread turns out. I’ll provide you with a chance to link up to share your progress too!
Be sure to leave a comment on this post, sharing what you plan to try during this challenge! All comments will be entered in our giveway for two $25 and one $50 gift certificates to the Heavenly Homemakers Shop.
I love these vanilla beans! You inspired me to try my hand at making my own vanilla & it just recently reached it’s six month due date! We really love it & would love to make some more!
P.S. I really enjoy your website, it is one of the few that I check daily! Keep up the good work!
can you post your whole wheat pita bread recipe, i have made one recipe and it was a lot of work, they turned out ok but not the best so I am on the search for a new one!
Yes, I’ll be sure to share it once I get a good recipe figured out. Here’s hoping this week will be productive in that area!
Here is a recipe that my friend makes all the time…
I have not tried it yet but maybe I could try this week??
Whole Wheat Pita Pockets
makes 12 whole pita pockets
1 1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/3 cup vital wheat gluten
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
In a large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients. Then, add the gluten and 1 cup of the flour, along with the yeast, and stir to mix. Add remaining flour and knead to make a soft dough. (Add additional flour if necessary during kneading.)
Put your dough into a bowl, lightly oil the top, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise, until almost double (about an hour).
Punch dough down and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-inch circle.
As you roll the rounds, set them aside on a lightly floured countertop or table, and cover loosely with a towel. Let rise for about 25-35 minutes, until slightly puffy.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place 2 rounds, side-by-side, onto a wire rack, such as is used for cooling things. Place rack in the middle of the oven. Bake for 4-5 minutes, until puffy and just slightly browned. (If bread is too browned, it will be dry and not pliable.) I preheated my pizza stone and baked them on it instead of using the wire racks.
Remove rack from oven and immediately wrap/layer pita breads in a damp towel, to soften. Continue baking the remaining breads, layering them between damp towels as soon as they’re baked. Allow breads to completely cool.
Cut pita breads in half, or split the top edge, and fill as desired.
Store pitas in a plastic zipper bag in the fridge for a few days, or place in the freezer for longer storage. To re-warm pitas, wrap them in a damp towel and then wrap in foil. Place in a warm (200-250 degree) oven for about 20 minutes.
I’ve made pitas a lot and the key is super hot baking stone! I heat my stone for a good 15 minutes and then just open and toss my discs of pita dough on. They are so much fun to watch ballon up.
I took it upon myself to be Funky and Fresh already! I didn’t know you were going to post this but….this week already….I made your ranch dressing, italian dressing, and 3 new meals from your recipe files. And my favorite….I got more jars.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be feeding my family REAL foods now. My husband is pretty excited, too!
Thanks!
I’ll take your challenge! By the way, it was neat to see your pig latin phrase! My dad has talked like that as long as I can remember. Makes for sweet memories. Have a blessed day!
well this is timely! it’s ‘D’ week this week here and we’re going to be making doughnuts for daddy! i’ve never made them before, so i hope they turn out :) does it count if i made a new recipe last week?! we had chimichangas an old recipe from my childhood, but one i’d never made. actually we made a few new recipes last week, but then i love to try new recipes!
Mother Nature apparently heard me say when it’s cooler I’m going to try the no knead bread recipe you posted recently. Well, lo and behold, we have fall temperatures outside. So this week I will be making a loaf of bread for the first time ever (without a bread machine, anyway. Even I can’t mess that up, lol).
I just love all your products!
I have 4 new recipes on the menu for this week. And I’m also ordering stuff so I can try making my own Mozzarella for the first time!
I want to try the no-knead bread recipe you posted as well! But I am starting off the week making grape juice from the many grapes my hubby picked off of my in-laws vines. :) My mom made it, but I’ve never done it myself before. I will be making no-sugar-added jelly out of the juice sometime this week too!
I love the funky fresh kitchen challenge! So may ideas, I don’t know where to start.
I have a 2 new recipes on the menu this week.
I going to make white bean chili for the the first time. Always say I going to make it an never do but on the the menu for thursday. Also, going to make breakfast sausage out of ground hamburger. I also for the first time made an order o tropical traditions I got palm shortening and coconut oil.
Hooray! A recipe for whole wheat bagels! I’ve been wanting to try bagels, but we’ve switched to whole-grains-only in all our baked goods, and I hadn’t yet found a good-looking recipe for whole-wheat bagels. This is what I’ll try!
I processed pumpkin for the first time ever. Not hard, just time consuming since I used my blender. I’ll borrow my friend’s Roma mill next time.
Some of that pumpkin will be used to try Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (my oldest daughter needs to stay off of Pinterest!)
I made a “no-knead” artisan bread to take to church for a soup dinner. Risky to try out a new recipe for a church dinner but it was cute and edible. I’m not a baker so this was a stretch for me….one I will repeat. I will read up on bread making to see how I might get a lighter texture the next time.
So I decided to try something new by changing my morning routine. I’ve been getting up an hour earlier(5:30) doing my morning devotions then getting my workout in before the kids get up. Tough for someone that is not a friendly morning person. :) This change has been such a blessing, I miraculously have an extra hour in my day and foggy crabby mom is now wide awake and full of energy! I think this is a change I am praying I can stick with!! Praise God for His faithfulness in our lives!
Always wanted to try pita bread, only the store by me carries fresh, baked daily, organic, whole wheat pita bread, 5 for .59 cents. And its delicious! I just can’t even justify turning on my oven for that. Think I’ll try homemade soft pretzels instead :)
I may try a new soup recipe & also a recipe for pumpkin bread that has a cheesecake topping–yum!
I’m trying my hand at making a cake. I know, I know, pathetic, never made a birthday cake that didn’t come from a mix. Truthfully I had no idea one could make a cake that didn’t come from a mix until I was like 12! But today is my daughter’s 3rd birthday and today she gets a homemade, healthier cake!
We are trying homemade eggrolls.
I am trying my hand at making homemade blueberry bagels using your recipe. Wish me luck!
Just enjoyed the overnight bread for breakfast slathered in BUTTER, yummy!
I have tried many of your recipes and LOVE them. This week I will try your pumpkin choc chip muffins to take camping!
I would LOVE the beans!
I plan on trying homemade mayonaise.
Homemade pita bread isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. I was so excited when it actually puffed up in the middle! They freeze really well, too.
Today we’re trying a lentil soup recipe (if finally cooled off enough for soup!). Yesterday, we tried baked pork chops with cinnamon apples. I was surprised because my husband, who has a thing against sweet and savory together, thought it was great and took the leftovers to work with him! That’s just the incentive to keep putting new things in front of the pickiest eaters.
we have lots of your recipes copied down in our cookbook. we love the ones we have tried!!!
I am going to make your awesome easy tomato soup! I have lot’s of tomatoes, love homemade tomato soup, but have never made it before.Thanks for the challenge! It’s definately my speed! I’m not a sky divivg kind of gal, either, but I am fluent in pig latin. :)
I’m not eating meat right now and was planning this week to try and learn to make a good vegetable stock. I also have wanted to try a recipe I have for grain-free pita bread, so may try that too.
Tried your vanilla recipe this year and loved it.. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us.
Would love to win the vanilla beans so I can make more vanilla..
I really want to try to make your Whole Wheat Bagels this week, but that depends on how much time I get without little ones underfoot. I try to let them help, but the little one eats raw dough and that just doesn’t work for me! I will be trying a new recipe for black bean & spinach enchiladas that I’ve been formulating in my head over the weekend.
I am new to canning so I tried canning potatoes and carrots. I am putting up stuff for the winter but wanted to try them out. I made a homemade soup with the quart of canned potatoes and carrots…added some sauteed onion and celery…added some spices and some canned meat. The family was very happy!!! Glad my experiment was a success!!
Mmmm, homemade pitas are so good! This is the recipe I use http://www.annies-eats.com/2010/04/20/whole-wheat-pita-bread/ I’ve use all whole wheat and all white and they are wonderful. I am trying water kefir this week and tasted the first batch this morning. Was a lot sweeter than I was expecting. Looking forward to trying different flavors.
oh I forgot I made your vanilla cinnaon crumb top muffin for my daughter breakfast. Had them ready when she got out of bed. She ate two of them.
I have always wanted to try making my own bagels. Let’s see how that goes.
Well, I’ve made the homemade vanilla and I am trying the mac and cheese. I love your recipes. Keep them coming.
I’m being funky fresh simply by getting back to old routines. Everything went out the window during first trimester, but just hit the second and having more energy, so back to homemade yogurt, tortillas, canning jam and applesauce, and who knows what else this week!
I started making homemade vanilla last year and will not go back to store-bought vanilla!
I really want to try some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
I made your recipe last year and loved it! I’d love to win these and make some more. Thanks! :)
I have never tried rhubarb and my kids were asking about a pie. maybe we”ll give that a try???
I want to try your cinnamon rolls! Yum!
I didn’t do so well with the vegetables/fruits challenge so last night I made a new veggie recipe, Vegetable Tian along with your Italian Roast Wraps (but we just ate it as roast). I have to say that the Vegetable Tian was delicious and made me think that I CAN eat more veggies and love it.
I’m really going to have to work on some new recipes that incorporate vegetables more. I really like veggie stir fry with rice but since the report on high levels of arsenic in US rice (even organic) just came out, I’m shelving that one from our menus.
I’m trying something new as we speak. I was given beaucoup cabbages and had to do something with them pronto, as they were already past their peak. So I shredded it and am now dehydrating it, along with some eggplants (also in the gift), which I sliced and am dehydrating to use later in some yummy eggplant Parmesan. The new thing is not the dehydrating, but the use of the dried food in an actual dish. Some things work fairly well, while others leave much to be desired. I’m sure I can at least throw some cabbage in a soup, but I’m anxious to see how rehydrated eggplant slices will work. Has anyone out there done this who will share their experience and outcome?
I made your vanilla ice cream for the first time last night and it was delicious! I would also like to try the no knead bread you posted about last week.
I just ordered vanilla beans last night…so I’m going to be making vanilla extract soon and I think I will attempt the home made doughnuts! One of my seven precious children has a severe sensitivity to MSG/allergy to free glutamate so I’ve been cooking from scratch for over 6 years (which has been a true health blessing for all of us). God is amazing in how He works in our lives! However, I never have tackled doughnuts but my kids love them!!!
I’m going to try the Banana-Coconut Flour Muffins!
I’ve had a bagel recipe on the back burner for-evah so I’ll make it a go this week :) We haven’t bought a bagel anything for about 8 months now so my family would be very happy to eat some!
I recently tried “sprouts” and honestly, i really like them. also i’m gonna try making home-made whole wheat bread, really hoping it turns out good!!!!
That’s so funny that I was just thinking of trying pita bread again. I tried a recipe years ago (from the Breadbeckers cookbook) that didn’t “puff up” for me (we ate them anyway, but could not fill them). Then I saw someone on the Breadbeckers forum was commenting about their recipe and saying the reason for the problem may be because their recipe didn’t call for any kind of sugar (honey or sucanat). That did not give the yeast any “food”. So … I was going to try the recipe that this person posted, but I think I will wait and see how yours turn out first! (-: We have enjoyed so many recipes from your site – I hope your pita bread is another winner! (We just made your cake doughnuts this week – kids LOVED them!!!)
Doughnuts are healthy???? Just kidding. I’m sure yours are a lot healthier than the ones we got from Krispy Kreme last week!
I’ll have to put my brain on figuring out something new to make while I fold some laundry.
This week we are going to try our hand at homemade bread. We tried tortillas last week and Alfredo sauce the week before. I love throwing in a new recipe once a week. So much fun. :)
I want to try making homemade poptarts.
Early this summer, I started getting “rave reviews” over my baked goods. Then I got to wondering why the compliments? I was using my old tried and true recipes…I had not changed the ingredients. But, WAIT! I HAD started using my homemade vanilla made with Olive Nation’s wonderful vanilla beans. What a difference! Such a rich flavor!
I’m going to try making your donuts…to go with our ‘D’ week and we’ll give them to Daddy!
I am going to try homemade tortillas….something I’ve been putting off. :)
Need to figure out kombucha. I’ve got the scoby and have had two not great batches…if only I knew what it should taste like!
And I finally delivered a meal to the new mom a few blocks away. Her husband has never met or seen us so I think he thought we were crazy, but it was fun to drop off homemade bread, 2 kinds of soup and an apple crisp with my 4 year old! Thanks for the push :)
Actually, this French yogurt cake comment of fits better under try something new. I found the recipe while reading a french parenting book, “Bringing Up Bebe” Supposedly 3 year-olds could make it by themselves using an empty 6 oz yogurt container. 3 scoops of flour, 1 scoop of sugar, etc. I wanted a rated recipe with actual measurements and found this one on-line.
http://www.thekitchn.com/quick-and-easy-recipe-yogurt-c-118366
My older girls (3&5) and I made it to serve to Daddy after his return from an 8 day business trip. It is supposed to be served with creme fraiche, but we already had whipping creme in the house. 2 cups of frozen berries can also be added to the batter, but I used fresh raspberries from the market. The cake was AMAZING and super easy! It had the moist consistency of a pound cake, but instead of 1 1/2 cups of butter, it had 1 1/2 cups of yogurt. Laura, I too love butter, but yogurt is much healthier then butter in large quantities :) Also, I substituted virgin coconut oil for the olive oil so it had a wonderful hint of coconut. Since the sugar content was relatively low, I used organic white sugar, but I did substitute 1/3 white whole wheat flour for the AP flour.
LAURA I highly recommend you or your CAKE BOYS give French yogurt cake a try!
I’m making egg noodles this week for chicken and noodles! Hope they turn out as good as the frozen ones at the store!
Just made homemade crackers. So tasty! I will definitley make them again!
I think I will try the donuts!
Tried this recipe this morning…healthy wasn’t the word, esp when I couldn’t stop eating them! However, they weren’t certainly a better option than the gas station donuts that my kids occasionally beg for! Thanks so much!
You áre so funny:) I really want to make your homemade cheese crackers.maybe I will finally do that.
Hmmm…Maybe chocolate graham crackers
making homemade bread today!
I made a ton of new stuff last week! I made hummus, ranch dip, popcorn chicken, whole wheat pancakes, pizza pockets….oh, what else? Applesauce, oatmeal cups……anyway, a lot of new stuff. This week I would like to make your whole wheat donuts! Can’t wait!
I need to try your doughnuts. I even have a doughnut cutter. :)
Well, I am always trying new recipes, depending on what we have on hand in the house. I am trying a new “taco Soup” recipe tonight. I have tried your homemade “poptarts” once already, i would like to try them again.
This week I made homemade bread with our History/Science group. Even the boys had fun and they were the first in line to eat bread fresh from the oven! The first two loaves were gone in a flash!
I think I’m going to try and make pumpkin doughnut holes. My 6yr old has been begging for doughnuts.
(Owhay aboutay uoyay?)
Ouyay ademay emay aughlay! Hankstay!
I tried a new frosting recipe this week – a cream cheese chocolate frosting – for my baby’s first birthday! (He turns 1 TODAY! I can’t believe it!) It was a huge hit with everyone and while not the *healthiest* frosting ever, certainly a million times better for you than anything you can buy in a store! ;o)
I’ve been trying out lots of recipes lately–recently found out allergic to garlic, night shade veggies (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers) and a host of other things–the bulk of what I normally cook with! So am now re-inventing the wheel so I can eat without boring my family to tears. I did try making Larabars last week in a desperate attempt to find anything healthy I could eat beside homemade broth. Thankfully dates and almonds are safe for me. Unfortunately the chocolate has to go.
I picked up some cress at the produce stand this morning because I’ve read about cress in stories and wanted to try it. But it’s really strong and peppery and I’m not sure what to do with it now. Not, I think, make the apple cress salad I had thought I might try. Put it in a creamy soup, maybe.
Cress was good on an egg biscuit this morning. I think the trick is to think of it more like basil than lettuce.
Well, I’m going to branch out as I learn to enjoy raw foods (and eat more of them) and try a new recipe this week. Not sure which one yet…
Tortillas – flavored ones – we’ve got lots of arugula right now and some tomatoes to use us – sounds good to me.
We are trying homemade fruit leathers/ fruit roll-ups today. We love fruit leathers and would love to be able to make our own to cut costs and know exactly what is in them.
My family loves it’s crackers, so I’m on the hunt for a recipe that’s both tasty and healthy. Tried many but success yet.
I want to try some new recipes from the ebooks I purchased from you…I did try making kefir and Kombucha (I wasn’t very successful in using them before they died) but I might have gotten too ambitious during a busy school week…another day! I’ll start with a recipe…I did use palm shortening for the first time the other day…YUM is all I have to say. Fried chicken fingers in palm shortening oil was delicious!
Forgot to mention: I also tried a recipe for lamb kabobs. The lamb was marinated in lemon and garlic and alternated with onion wedges. The kabobs were served with tatziki for dipping, greek salads and whole wheat pita bread and humus.
Then on Wednesday, my girls and I I will be making individual pizzas using whole wheat naan for crust. I usually only have time to make homemade pizza dough on the weekends, so I am excited at the prospect of pizza on a weeknight. The pizzas will be topped with tomato sauce, monzarella cheese, local pastured italian pork sausage, mushrooms and green peppers and served with a side of broccoli with lemon. Yum!
I’ve started making Kefir with grains. It took longer than I thought to get the grains ready, but now that they are working, we love our daily kefir. My two year old has had digestive issues for a while, and a little kefir every day has straightened her out.
i am so bummed. I just now was able to get on-line again and I see i missed a really fun month. Well, i will go back and do it by myself.
Now, to answer the question of what new recipe i will do…i think i will try the granola. i really want to try yogart but i don’t think i will be able to this week, but maybe i will before my thirty days is over.
We are trying three new recipes today! I made your tomato soup, tried another canned tomato recipe and my daughter is making your peanut butter bars right now.
Kombucha can be an aquired taste. My husband won’t drink it. Try bottling some with a few pieces of fruit (strawberries or raspberries are yummy.) Use a bottle that can take the pressure, because it will get fizzy. Let sit for a day or two and the kombucha will take on the flavor.
I’m planning to try a new fish recipe this week. Made with a fish we normally eat, but cooked in a different way.
This was a good week. I made kefir with grains, Kombucha tea, hummus that my hubby said was better than store bought and I tried a new Italian risotto recipe. Hopefully the weekend will be just as good.
I’m trying my hand at Kombucha tea for the first time. It reminds me of when I first started Kefir 5 years ago. I was so nervous about messing up in the beginning. I can do in now even in a sleepy stupor! I’m looking forward to getting comfortable with the Kombucha too.
Crock-pot lasagna for us!
I may try the pop tarts or graham crackers. There are so many main dish meals that I will be trying. I got some fresh milk today. Once I separate the cream, I will be able to make several things including butter and some yogurt. Can’t wait to try. Love your blog. Share it with people as often as I can.
I am going to try to make some bread – YUM!
Funny that this is the topic, because I bought the stuff the try making homemade yogurt over the weekend. I’ve been putting that one off for awhile, but decided to finally try!
We just try the no knead yeast bread and cheeseburger macaroni….We all Love it…Thanks
Also I am planning some time this week to make some whole wheat Calzones..
I haven’t cooked anything new in awhile. But I did try anchovies this weekend. They weren’t too bad. I trying to step out of the box and try something new when I get a chance. You never know it maybe your new favorite food!
I’m going to try to find more freezer recipes as things get really busy with the upcoming season. Need to get my meal planning organized!
I have wanted for a long time to make home-made granola bars, homemade poptarts, and homemade biscuits. I am going to make that a priority tomorrow!
I got about a pound of tomatillos in our co-op basket so I’m going to try tomatillo sauce tonight!
I want to try the homemade ranch and the homemade crackers!
Today I made almond milk for the first time. Turned out delicious!
need to try some homemade sweet cream butter
I am about to attempt homemeade mozzerella…after I clean the kitchen…and I put the baby to bed.
I love vanilla beans! When I have them in the house – I sometimes just open the bag and smell them for a bit. :)
Bought your e-book package this week and look forward to trying MANY new things!