I decided to make some pita bread this week, seeing as we haven’t had any for a while. Where we live in Japan, I have seen pitas for sale from time to time at stores but they are not commonly found at many stores.The recipe for pita bread is quite simple, and baking them is also simple. I find the trick is learning that they should not be rolled out too thin before baking. It’s fun to watch them bake in the oven starting out flat and slowing filling up with air like a balloon. Within a few minutes you have hot little pillows baking that keep their shape for quite a while after you take them out of the oven.Spring is finally upon us, and green is growing everywhere. Most of it is weeds, but here and there we can find foods to use in the kitchen. Our parking lot has a couple of big bushes of mint growing and we’ve been debating recently about whether or not to make some pesto out of it. Seeing as today was a holiday (Green Day or Showa Day here in Japan) and I had time, I picked a huge bowlful and used it in a few dishes for our dinner.

I made some meatballs with mint, garlic and rosemary, a hummus with roasted cumin, a yogurt mint sauce with a touch of garlic, and some bowls of mint, cabbage and a bit of cheese (my daughters love cheese).My craving satisfied, I can enjoy the rest of the evening and think about how much my lunch tomorrow (pitas!!!!) will be enjoyed.