Meatless Monday--Flatbreads with Honey, Sea Salt, and Thyme

Isn't it funny how, when life gets most hectic, we often forget about some of the simple pleasures that can easily make everything better?  We get in a vacuum where we think everything is too much.  We fall into a rut where we focus on all that is overwhelming us and forget to look for positivity and happiness.

I'm here to tell you, as the holidays approach and life gets busier and busier, that these flatbreads, paired with a couple of your favorite cheeses and some apple slices, makes for one fantastic supper.  They take all of ten minutes to mix up and roll out and just a few minutes more to top (use any melty cheese you love) once they're removed out of the oven.  So take a deep breath, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy a dinner that feels like a total luxury.  You deserve it.

Flatbreads with Honey, Sea Salt, and Thyme

seen on The Way the Cookie Crumbles

adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:

1/3 to 1/2 c. good-quality honey
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder

3/4tsp. table salt

1/2 c. water

1/3 c. olive oil

3/4 c. grated cheese (I used apple smoked gouda)

1 TBSP fresh thyme
flaky sea salt such as Maldon

Directions:

1. Position oven rack to middle placement and put a baking stone in the oven.  Heat to 450 degrees F. In a small saucepan, heat the honey over low heat.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the water and oil.  Using a fork, stir the liquids into the flour until a dough forms.  Turn out on to a floured countertop or board and knead the dough 5-10 times, until it forms a smooth ball.

3. Divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval approximately 12 inches long by 6 inches wide.

4. Transfer dough to heated baking stone.  (I was able to fit two on my baking stone at a time.)  Bake 5 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and evenly distribute a quarter of the grated cheese over each flatbread.  Return the dough to the oven until it’s browned at the edges, 3-4 additional minutes.  

5.  Remove and immediately drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of honey.  Sprinkle with a quarter of the thyme and a generous pinch of sea salt.  Cut the into pieces.  Repeat with remaining portions of dough.  Serve warm.