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Make your own pita chips for a pocketbook- friendly low fat snack
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The cost of healthy snack food is often much higher than the fatty, artery-clogging stuff. It almost seems as if the grocery stores want us to be fat! A case in point: pita chips. One small bag can be upwards of $3.50, and guess what? The store-bought pita chips aren't even that healthy, as they frequently contain an obscene amount of salt.
The cure for snack food price-gouging is to make baked pita chips yourself. With almost zero fat, they make a snack that is friendly with just about any diet you could possibly be on. Did I say diet? Don't let the word scare you: pita chips are deliciously addictive, despite the "D" word. Serve them at a party and you'll be a hero.
Photo: Joshua Bouset
Pita Chips Recipe
1 round of pita bread per person
Non-fat olive oil or garlic-flavored spray
Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice around each pita round with a sharp knife, separating into two thin rounds. Slice each round into 4-8 wedges (depending on whether you want a small or large chip). Place chips in a single layer on a cookie sheet and spray with non-stick spray. Bake pita chips about 7-10 minutes, until lightly brown and crisp, turning once and spraying the other side of the chips.
* You can add a pinch of salt or herbs to the chips if you want a more flavorful pita chip. Garlic salt, Italian herbs or cumin all make tasty additions. You can use onion-flavored pita bread for extra punch, or try whole wheat for an even bigger health boost.
* Use kitchen shears to make the preparation of your pita chips even breezier.
* If you want a thicker chip, don't separate the bread before slicing. For dieters, though, you might like having a larger number of baked pita chips for the same calorie count.
The best use for homemade pita chips? Dipping them into homemade hummus. Luckily for you, I've got five ways to make it, and they're all easy-peasy. Pita chips are simple enough to make for yourself as a late night treat, or pack some in your lunch box.
The next time the snack aisle beckons, just plug your ears and sing "La la la." Snacks, schmacks. To rephrase the Ruffles slogan: Make your own bag!
Do you have a favorite homemade version of a snack food that puts store-bought to shame? Share it in the comments section, or e-mail Liz Kelly at ekellywrites@gmail.com.
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