Easy, Healthy Pita Pizza

You have to laugh when you find yourself posting about Frito Pie and whipping up southern "butter queen" Paula Deen's strawberry cake, in the same week you are enjoying a healthy South African tea, tasting a Thai pineapple curry, trying a new Indian curry and experimenting with whole wheat pita to make a healthier pizza.

It's Redneck Mama meets International Food Aficionado. Or, The Schizophrenic Gourmet.

Even my choice in food reflects my desire to live in balance and moderation. So if I have a slice of strawberry cake now and again, I'll try hard to eat a a light chicken salad to even things out.

Here's one of my favorite healthier recipes that we enjoy for a busy day supper or quick snack It makes a super thin crispy pizza crust, and if you want to take it to go, you can fold it in half to eat the way they do in Italy! (Great for hungry teen boys on the run.)

Pita Pizzas

Whole Wheat Pitas (Whole Foods Brand preferred)cut in round, thin pizza halves with kitchen shears (2 pitas makes 4 pizza 'crusts')
One small can tomato paste mixed with 1 clove fresh pressed garlic, pinch Italian seasoning, a teaspoon of honey, dash salt
Olive Oil
Cheese of your choice

Toppings: Whatever you like!

For basic pizzas, preheat oven to 400. Sprinkle the biggest flat sheet pan you have with a olive oil. Place pitas on the pan and spread with "fancied up" tomato paste.(It will be thick but if you use sauce, it makes the pita bread too soggy.) Put on toppings and cheese and bake until crust is crispy and cheese is melted. Sometimes I switch to broiler if the bottoms are cooking too fast, but the cheese hasn't melted enough yet.

For Bar-B-Que Chicken pizza, mix a little bar-b-que sauce with the seasoned tomato paste, sprinkle with chopped roasted chicken, red or green onion and top with your choice of grated cheese (cheddar and mozzerella combo is nice)

For Hawaiian Pizza: Sprinkle with well-drained pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, green onions and canadian bacon or bits of ham

For Curry Pizza: Mix some of your favorite Indian curry sauce (in a jar) with the tomatoe paste and top with chicken, well drained pineapple, onions and peppers. I really love Patak's brand of Jalfrezi Curry, a combo of tomato, peppers, coconut. World Market has a good assorment of Patak's Indian products.

For Margherita Pizza: Top with fresh mozzerella, sliced grape tomatoes and basil leaves

For Buffalo Pizza: Top with pieces of roast chicken that have been tossed in Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce, and mixture of mozerella and blue cheese crumbles. Before serving, top with chopped celery