A World of Flatbread

​Last week we featured a blog post on flour tortillas. While we were looking into the history of tortillas we never thought about how interesting it is that unique civilizations throughout the world seemed to have all discovered their own version of a flat bread. In fact, while flat breads are all similar, they also have unique attributes that lend their selves to a specific cuisine. 

So, Rudy, the kids and I decided we would make a little game out of it by seeing who could name the most flat-breads and accurately guess where those flat breads are from. The winner gets to choose their favorite Toastilla for dinner. Sound fun? We thought so. 

​What was interesting about our game is the number and variety of flatbreads. In fact, each of us had several that the others didn’t. And parents, just so you know, your kids are way worldlier than you were at their age. But, you probably already knew that. 

Below is our ultimate family night list of world flatbreads. What you do with this list is up to you, but we recommend a little research and having some fun in the kitchen, because this list will cause your tummy to grumble. 

• Chepati: How this ended up on three lists I’ll never know as I never would have thought of it. Chepati is native to Africa, although many people mistaken the thinner Chepati with Indian Roti. However, the two are often used interchangeably as a wrap and a “sop-up” style bread for stews and curries. 

• Roti: Roti was actually on everyone’s list and why wouldn’t it be? It’s a little thicker than Chepati, but used much in the same way. It’s common for cooks to add ingredients to the dough to make it more flavorful such as coconut and jalapenos. 

• Naan: This family favorite flatbread hails from India and also ended up on everyone’s list. It’s soft, thick and chewy and in many ways makes me think of what it must be like to eat a cloud of delicious. It’s leavened so you can expect it to rise more than its cousin Roti, and also made with milk or yogurt which adds a bit of tang and the soft texture. We love to sprinkle with olive oil and sautéed garlic and sea salt. 

• Pita: So, yeah, you know what Pita is. These are the perfect little pockets you shove full of veggies, but really, it’s the lamb and tzatziki gyros we all crave. Gyros are one of the few foods in life that you absolutely need to eat when you smell them. They are pretty much the Sirens of food and they come from Greece, so that’s expected. 

• Focaccia: Strangely, while we all knew this flatbread, Rudy was the only one to list it. Focaccia is an Italian favorite and like many Italian foods (pasta, pizza, etc.) can be topped with nearly anything. From the flavorful mix of salt and olive oil to the cute dimples delicately inviting you to take a bite, nobody turns down focaccia. 

• Tortillas: Okay, funny story here. We are obviously a tortilla family, yet no one listed tortillas as the first flat bread on their list. What? Tortillas, corn and flour, are from the early Central American cultures and nearly 12,000 years old. Today, they are the dominant flatbread around the world. 

• Matzah: So, while out kids could only think of Matzah balls, they inherently tossed matzah on their lists. Matzah is actually an unleavened flatbread eaten during Jewish Passover when leavened bread is not allowed. They are flat, and crisp. 

• Mana’eesh: I had no clue what this was, but after looking into it I think I might have to try. Mana’eesh is popular in the Eastern Mediterranean specifically Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. It is rich in olive oil and often topped with spices or fermented overnight to provide a bit of a tang. 

• Pancakes: One of our brighter kids reminded us of the importance of pancakes. Yes they are flat, they are a bread, and well we love them very much. 

• Frybread: This is another flat bread I hadn’t heard of, although I’m almost embarrassed to say that, finding out that it was a Native American bread. From yeasty to cornmeal-based to the variety of fat and even eggs, there are a lot of versions of Frybread throughout America depending on the region and tribe. Whatever you add to it, the common trait is that this flatbread is fried.

​So, who won? Well, it was Rudy and he chose the mac and cheese Toastilla with bacon. Why? Because he loves to rip them apart and feel the cheese ooze out onto his fingers.