The spring catering season has been a whirlwind of annual meetings, cocktail parties and weddings. Even though I’m around food almost all of the time, I often get sidetracked and skip lunch. I recently discovered flatbreads in the deli section at Publix. They’ve been lifesavers for me!
Flatbreads are low in calories and are quick and easy to prepare. The recipes this week are for some of the flatbreads that I’ve tried over the past couple of months. Each recipe serves one person. If you’re a bread person, try the same ingredients on an individual serving pizza crust, a tortilla, pita or naan bread. For a crispy crust, bake the flatbread on the lowest rack of your oven.
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Chicken and Goat Cheese Flatbread (above)
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Crumbled goat cheese
Deli chicken breast, torn
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Sliced kalamata olives
Diced tomato
Jarred pizza sauce
Chopped green onion
Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Top evenly with crumbled goat cheese, chicken, a small amount of mozzarella cheese (just enough to help the ingredients stay on the flatbread), kalamata olives and diced tomato. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted and edges of the flatbread are lightly browned. Remove from oven. Drizzle with pizza sauce and garnish with chopped green onion. Serves 1.
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Pimento Cheese and Tomato Flatbread
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Pimento cheese
Tomato, thinly sliced
Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread evenly with a small amount of pimento cheese. Top with tomato slices. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until the pimento cheese is melted. Serves 1.
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Cajun Shrimp Flatbread
Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Butter
Cajun seasoning
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Diced tomato
Italian parsley, chopped
Saute shrimp in melted butter. Season with cajun seasoning. Drain on paper towels. Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with cooked shrimp. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until cheese is melted. Remove from oven. Garnish with diced tomato and chopped parsley. Serves 1.
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Turkey and Cheddar Flatbread
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Jarred pizza sauce
Shredded white cheddar cheese
Deli turkey slices
Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread evenly with a small amount of pizza sauce. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and turkey slices. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until cheese is melted. Serves 1.
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Beef and Blue Cheese Flatbread
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Bottled horseradish sauce
Blue cheese crumbles
Shredded swiss cheese
Sliced beef tenderloin, steak or deli beef
Diced tomato
Chopped Italian parsley
Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread evenly with a small amount of horseradish sauce. Top evenly with crumbled blue cheese, a small amount of swiss cheese (just enough to help the ingredients stay on the flatbread), and beef tenderloins. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted and edges of the flatbread are lightly browned. Remove from oven. Garnishg with diced tomato and chopped parsley. Serves 1.
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Jalapeno and Cheese Flatbread
1 flatbread, naan or single pizza crust
Jarred pizza sauce
Shredded cheddar-jack cheese
Sliced pickled jalapenos
Place flatbread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread evenly with a small amount of pizza sauce. Top with shredded cheese and jalapeno slices. Bake on lowest rack of a preheated 350 degree oven until cheese is melted. Serves 1.
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The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of two cookbooks, Gold Medal Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 525-0350 or by email at dbc@cateringbydebbicovington.com