Garlic and Thyme Whole Wheat Flatbread

April 15, 2014

Garlic and Thyme Whole Wheat Flatbread | Sarcastic Cooking

My current sitch at 8:00p.m. Monday night: Listening to the lullabye version of Phil Collins’ You’ll Be In My Heart through the walls as Mike tries to put Andy to bed. Weezer is next to me. In one hand, I am holding his binky full of peanut butter for him, because he is a brat and refuses to hold it with his paws, and trying to type with my other hand at the same time. My wine is on the coffee table which just seems way too far to reach for because if I move out from under this heated blanket, I might freeze. Baseball is still on the TV because Mike didn’t turn it off and like I said, I don’t want to move out of fear of freezing.

I am wearing the outfit I have been in all day which consists of pajama pants and a sweatshirt. I made this life choice because I heard snow in the 6am forecast and gave up on impressing anybody today. I did shower though. Mike swears the heat is working, but I beg to differ. I am pretty sure it is blowing cold air through the house and does not kick in when the thermostat reads 69 degrees. But, what do I know.

Frozen. That seems to be the theme of the day. Frozen by the weather, by my laziness, and of course there is the movie soundtrack that keeps running through my head. I have used Andy as an excuse to watch that movie twice today. It just felt fitting and he likes the music. Or at least that is what I tell myself as I serenade him with my impressive version of “Let It Go” and he stares back at me unblinking.

Quiet child is a happy child, right?

Garlic and Thyme Whole Wheat Flatbread | Sarcastic Cooking

Anyway, frozen… I feel like my brain is frozen. Throughout the day I say more indecipherable word fragments and noises than actual words when talking to Andy and Weezer. When I sit down to write a post for you guys all I hear is, “ggggaaaaaaahhhhh” or crickets chirping or the lyrics to “Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?”

Just when I thought spring had sprung and I was free to go outside, go for walks, sit on my deck, cook with the windows all thrown open basking in the sunlight… That dreaded s-word which I refuse to say. It is like my version of Voldemort. Come on! Really?

So, for today, I am in a funk. A creative funk. And there is nothing funky about it.

Last week when I was on a roll photographing away at the three recipes a week I was making, I wasn’t in a funk. I made these flatbreads. I ate them as per usual, standing in the kitchen without a plate or napkin. But, in this one instance, I feel like that is how these were meant to be enjoyed. Very rustic.

Garlic and Thyme Whole Wheat Flatbread | Sarcastic Cooking

While I put this warm laptop back on the coffee table, reach for my wine, and then huddle back under my blanket, please know this lazy creative funk will be gone as soon as the s-word gets off my lawn! Take comfort in that and this beautiful, easy flatbread!

Garlic and Thyme Whole Wheat Flatbread

Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 4 Pieces

Ingredients

  • For the Oil:
  • 2/3 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 Large Thyme Sprig
  • 2 Large Cloves of Garlic smashed
  • A Pinch of Salt and Black Pepper
  • For the Flatbread:
  • ¾ Cup Warm Water at least 100 degrees F
  • 1 1/4 Teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 Teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 1/3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Prepared Thyme-Garlic Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese plus more for topping

Instructions

  1. To make the oil, combine the oil, thyme, and garlic in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until fragrant. Transfer to a heatproof container and let cool completely and then season with salt and pepper.
  2. Add warm water and sugar to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Gently whish until sugar is dissolved. Add yeast to the water and let sit for five minutes until frothy.
  3. Add flour, salt, two tablespoons of cheese, and two tablespoons of the prepared oil into the yeast mixture. Turn hook on medium speed and knead until dough is smooth. Transfer the dough to a work surface and cut into 4 equal pieces. Form into balls and then place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Lightly coat each ball in the thyme-garlic oil. Place a damp cloth over the dough and let rise for about an hour, until the balls have doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Place a pizza pan or pizza stone in the oven while the oven heats up.
  5. Roll each piece of dough out into a rough oblong shape, about 11 by 5 inches. Brush both sides of the flatbread with the prepared oil. Remove the hot pan from the oven, sprinkle with whole wheat flour, and then place two flatbreads on to the pan. Bake in the oven for three minutes.
  6. Serve flatbread warm with the prepared oil and some shaved or grated parmesan on the side.

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine.

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  • Francesca
    April 18, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    These look like a wonderful, cozy and comforting snack. Well done, lady.

  • Susan
    April 18, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Does Weezer not know he’s supposed to be the portable heating unit? Also Sir Pugsley pulls that crap when it comes to his nylabone and insists on my holding it. Always when I need to type! So yeah, it’s still cold and we need carbs to warm up. Flatbread will do.

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    April 16, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    I feel your pain, it just snowed here yesterday! Gah, I’m just so done with winter! These flat breads look delicious!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    April 15, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    These look awesome! I think they’d be a delicious vehicle for hummus 🙂

    • Stefanie
      April 15, 2014 at 5:56 pm

      Way better than a carrot that’s for sure!!

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    April 15, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    I thoroughly enjoy the music you two are exposing Andy to. I approve.

    and I love this delish flatbread-SUPER rustic and delicious. Garlic and thyme and bread=yum!

    • Stefanie
      April 15, 2014 at 5:55 pm

      I’m glad you approve on both accounts!!!

  • julia
    April 15, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I love flat bread and this looks relatively easy to make! I will have to try this one out.

    • Stefanie
      April 15, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      It is so easy. This recipe made me really excited to make flatbread pizzas!!