When something exceeds your expectations it naturally boosts your confidence and makes you feel like you’ve made the right decision. Leaving you feel eager to explore more and take chances more often being as the end result can quite possibly blow you away. That is exactly what happened after a casual conversation this past Sunday with local food blogger and soon to be cookbook author and recipe developer of “The First Mess“. Laura Wright is an astounding, eager, hardworking, inspiring young entrepreneur that has opened my eyes and allowed my heart to feel at peace with the passion and dedication I have naturally developed for creating a healthy online “space” (as I like to call it). Sharing simple ways to live a healthy/happy life by looking no where but straight in front of you. Staying focused on what you love, and letting the rest just fall into place.
So when I asked her where I could purchase some “healthy flatbreads” for my up and coming Shawarma recipe she responded by saying “If I want really good ones… I usually make them myself” 🙂 and thats when this amazing experience began.
I used to live in Mississauga. Well not entirely but I did go to school at George Brown in Toronto and so for a year I shacked up on the outskirts of the city and drove in daily to go to my classes. When I would pull into the parking lot and begin to walk into the school there would always be a man outside with a food truck that read “SHAWARMA’S”…. I never really knew what his deal was but I was always curious to try them out.
Everywhere you turned in Toronto there was a place selling Shawarma’s. Even it wasn’t there top seller, somewhere on there menu there would most likely be some kind of Shawarma. I was curious to find out why this dish was so popular and what the hype was all about so one day after class on my way home knowing I had an hour drive back home and a fridge full of nothing but good ol’ ketchup (student problems) I decided to feed my hangryness and try this hyped up, big city, on-the-go meal.
I completely caved and went straight for the greasiest version and felt like crap for a week afterwards BUT I now understood why people loved this crazy comfort food wrapped in one big pita! Fast forward to 8 years later at the point I am at today when I am constantly asked if I miss eating certain kinds of comfort foods and how I balance eating healthy day in and day out with natural bodily cravings of meals that are not so healthy. Well, I’ll tell you!
I admit I am a very health conscious person who believes in making homemade meals from scratch, leaving out or substituting any ingredients that may have been processed or refined, genetically modified and or artificially flavoured. I am your “what exactly is in this?” person that may be of an annoyance to some people being as they honestly don’t care or don’t know what they are really putting in there body.
So when Laura Wright advised that I take up the challenge to make my very own Easy Baked Spelt Flatbreads I was honestly immediately excited and eager to roll up my sleeves and work with the magical ingredient of active yeast for the second time in a week, only this time it wasn’t for dessert!
The smell of bread in any state whether it be waiting for it to rise, baking it in the oven or grilling it on the bbq is honestly the best smell known to man. I honestly don’t know what is more comforting than walking into a family owned, old school bakery and smelling the aroma of fresh bread and pastries…. aaaahhh.
I know if I was employed at one I wouldn’t be the size I am today! With the high carb content, low fiber and lack of nutritional ingredients baked into commercially made breads people are sometimes just totally unaware of the ingredients they are putting into there bodies and not realizing that there are much more healthier alternatives that will leave them 100% more satisfied and most importantly the way they start to feel will reflect there appearance both on the outside and on the inside. Feeling good, and looking great because of the choices they have made to eat wholesome, nutritious ingredients day in and day out is something I will never ever turn away from as it has changed my life completely for the better.
So let’s get back to the fact that I wish those people that criticize and question us “health conscious foodie’s” could dip there finger into THIS Garlic Dill Sauce (adapted by Minimalist Baker) right now. Guaranteed to honestly change your life and knock any regular mayonnaise, hollandaise or oil/egg yolk/cream base sauce out of consciousness, leaving you completely HOOKED.
It’s just THAT good. Period.
Wishing I could have that greasy french fry, hamburger, mac n’ cheese, greasy shawarma, chocolate sundae meal?…me?… NO. I wish and crave to indulge in crazy delicious meals like this one that satisfy my heart and soul. Call me crazy but nowadays I never wish for anything but what I have right here, right now. There is nothing that compares to devouring a meal full of amazing flavour, simple ingredients and better yet the way you feel after eating it… a lot of it!
Because honestly when is one Shawarma ever enough??? Think about it… freshly made Easy Grilled/Baked Spelt Bread jam packed with spice infused crunchy and perfectly roasted Chickpeas, some fresh Tomatoes, Red Onions, fresh Parsley, fresh Dill, Lemon Juice, Garlic, and maybe even some of your favourite hot sauce if your daring enough.
BAM. there you have it folks, the Shawarma of all Shawarma’s. The ultimate comfort food. Where comfort meets healthy and everyone’s happy.
If your not in the mood to make homemade spelt flatbreads I totally get it especially because these specific ones as much as they are easy to prepare do require hours of rising time which can be inconvenient at times. So with that said I would suggest finding another healthy flatbread recipe that can be made quicker OR maybe going into your local bakery or supermarket and selecting something that contains as many healthy ingredients as possible. Gluten-free would be a good option as well.
Either way this recipe is totally drool-worthy and as the weekend is only a few days away you absolutely MUST fit in some time to jump in your comfiest of comfy clothes, put on some spotify “in the kitchen” tunes and make these insanely delicious wraps.
I suggest having them alongside a gigantic fresh salad, some savoury soup, or some sweet potato fries, … or maybe all three! :):):)
You can also totally save the unused roasted chickpeas and the extra chopped veg, dressing and flatbreads separately in the fridge for 3-4 days so that you can re-live the experience all over again! How amaze is that?!?!
Enjoy babes! Happiest Thursday!
(vegan) 
(dairy-free)
Nutritional information calculated with all ingredients listed above (divided by 4) sauce included.
