Late Night Cooking: Pita Chips

The other night I decided I wanted something to eat. Typical night, right? Something that did not need very many ingredients, including butter. Because when it's been a very long time since you've gone to the store, you don't have many things. Anyways, I decided I wanted pita chips. Because what could be easier?

I assumed I had all the ingredients. After all flour, water, salt, what more would you need for a flat bread? Well, apparently pita bread is not flat. Pita bread rises. Which means it needs yeast. Something I do not have on hand at my apartment. However, I did not give up. I looked up recipes for pita bread without yeast and struck gold. According to two recipes that I found, you don't need yeast to make pita bread! After several more hours of debating I decided I would just go for it.

I used a recipe I found on a blog with pictures:
Three cups of flour
One teaspoon of salt
One cup of water
A few teaspoons of oil (optional)

Mix, let sit, and fry. Easy.

Well, whoever wrote that blog post must have very different luck cooking than I do. If you remember from two previous posts Cooking Fails and Cooking Fails Part Two I don't always have the best luck in the kitchen. This time was no different.

I mixed the flour and salt. I then added the water. Now, last time I checked (the other day) one cup of water is not enough water to dampen three cups of flour. Not even a little bit. So I added a little more water. And a little more. And then a bit more after that. Much more than one cup. But just enough to make a dough. Then I threw in some unmeasured amount of oil. At this point I realized there's no point even looking at the recipe, I'm flying in the dark. By now it's about 11:30, so, not too late, but late enough. And I crept out into the kitchen to fry the dough. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. I wasn't even in the kitchen to begin with. I didn't want to bother my studying roommate who was in the living room, so I was trying to stay extra quiet for her.

I flattened out the dough. No problems there. I didn't even need flour. Because I had only just made a dough the flour water ratio wasn't very sticky. And fried it in the pan. I was afraid my roommate was going to look over and judge me for frying some sort of dough mixture at 11:30 at night, but she was too busy studying to care. I took it out and put the next one in. As soon as it was cool enough to bite into, actually a bit too soon for that, my mouth is still burnt, I took a huge bite. PITA. IT TASTED LIKE PITA. I was very excited. And continued to fry up dough.

By the time I got to the second one I realized that I had not actually ever been hungry. Just bored and wanting to eat. But, of course, I go for it anyways. It soooorta tasted like pita. I recognized the taste as closer to the homemade tortillas my older sister and I used to make on our tortilla maker. At this point I'm slightly less excited about frying them all up. However, I ate the second "pita" and continued frying. The third "pita" did not taste good. Not even a little bit good. It had no redeeming qualities. I kept frying. Sooner, well, actually later, I had fried all of the disgusting dough. I had still not gotten one glance from my roommate. (sound familiar?) I took it into my room and tried another one. Blargh. Gross.

The next day I threw them all away. Realizing, that I don't really like pita much anyways.

Baking with Ashton/Guest Blogging

Slow does not begin to cover how my computer has been acting. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the video software itself because when it's not trying to install my computer works fine. And by fine I mean buggy but enough fine. Anyways....

I spent much of the other day with my good friend Ashton. Part of it included baking cookies. As you know, from a few previous posts here and (especially) here, cooking with her is always an experience. Of course right before and as soon as I turned off the camera funny stuff happened. But luckily I did get a few good clips which I have put together for your viewing pleasure. And you better like it. Because it took a long-ass time to get a video editor. At first I was holding my phone/camera but then it moved to the counter.

Note: "Crack" is an amazing snack - that I make - that is not illegal. And is delicious.
And no, the title wasn't supposed to be sideways, but then it happened and it was easier not to fix it.

I was pretty surprised at the quality. I ended up using an online video editor called FileLab Video Editor, and I was not expecting much, but it turned out pretty well, right?

Changing the subject completely....

I've seen a large number of blogs who allow others to write guest posts for them from time to time. Now that I'm starting to get a higher number of viewers, I ask, is anyone interested?

If you are interested in writing a guest post - let me know.

Or, if your blog features guest bloggers and you would like me to write a post for you - let me know then too. I will write about almost anything. Just give me a topic, and I will give you content.

And I will leave you with a line I heard yesterday in Starbucks

I dedicated my life to a shrubbery.

Was it finding the shrubbery? Growing a shrubbery? I will never know, thoughts?

Cooking Fails Part Two

I didn't know I was going to need a part two. Remember when I said I don't usually have problems in the kitchen? Well, I think those days are over... I sort of had an accident.

I've used beaters tons of times but not the ones that go by themselves (except in a commercial building, but that thing could take off your arm). Anyways, I was at Ashton's house last night and using her mixer and... well, I think only pictures would do it justice.

Doesn't it look kind of pretty?

I think it's artsy. Definitely something that could be sold on Fretsy.

These are the same beaters that her mom has been using since before she was born. They're older than I am. They went all that time without being mangled. And then I came along.

Needless to say, I am on restriction in her kitchen.