Recipe Idea #2 for phyllo dough

Hey everyone! Well...as I promised, I am here today to give y'all another recipe that will help you use up the remaining of the phyllo dough...and as an added bonus, this is another great option for Super Bowl.  I'm not here trying to convince you that this recipe is your top choice for "healthy" food, but it's definitely a healthier option in comparison to your traditional football weekend fare...& like Chris said in an earlier post, treats in moderation are ok.  We all know that super bowl weekend is often packed with not your healthiest of foods...think fried chicken wings, fat laden nachos, french fries...just to name a few.

This recipe today of BAKED phyllo pizza triangles will not only look & taste delicious, but will also look like you spent hours in the kitchen creating them...when in all actuality, they are quite simple to make! Plus, you can make them in so many ways so that you can accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarians...you just can't go wrong with them : )

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo
• shredded mozzarella cheese  (I recommend three 8 oz packages...you probably won't use all three, but you want to make sure you have enough cheese...also depends on how much cheese you stuff into the triangles...I used slightly just over 2 packages)
• 1 jar pizza sauce (most likely not all will be used)
• other toppings...ex.: pepperoni, canadian bacon, etc.  (honestly this part is up to you..I made half with just pizza sauce & cheese (vegetarian) and half with sauce, cheese, and Italian spiced ground turkey (for my meat eating hubby ; ) )
• extra virgin olive oil for brushing

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spread a piece of parchment paper over the surface of a shallow baking tray
2. Remove a  roll of the phyllo (usually there are two in a box) from the box, unwrap it, and unroll it vertically in front of you on a clean surface.  Cut the stack of phyllo once vertically so that you are left with 2 vertical rows. I then place all of the stacks on top of each other to form one vertical column (note: be gentle with these since they are delicate and will break easily.) I then place a clean, damp cloth on the phyllo, while I work with the rest...this helps to keep them from drying out too much.
3. Take one strip of phyllo and brush the surface with olive oil. Next place a second strip on top of the first strip and also brush the surface with olive oil. Next place a third strip on top of the first two and also brush the surface with olive oil. (we are using 3 strips versus 2 in the "Greek Made Easy" recipe since the filling of these is thicker and heartier and we want to make sure that the phyllo is sturdy enough for the filling)
4. Place a heaping spoonful (using the standard spoon you eat your meals with) of cheese on the bottom of the phyllo strip.  Next place a spoonful (also using the standard spoon you eat your meals with) of pizza sauce on top of the cheese.  Place other toppings (if using) on top of the sauce (note: do not over stuff the triangles...the dough is delicate and will not support it if over stuffed...ex.3/4 slices of pepperoni or canadian bacon max).  Last place another spoonful of cheese on top.  
5. Next, fold it up to form a right angle. Continue folding from corner to alternating side...the same way you would form a flag-forming right angles with each new fold.  Place seam down on the sheet pan.  Continue this process until all the phyllo strips are used up.  Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with a little cold water.  Bake the triangles for about 10-12 minutes, until golden.  Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature...whatever your preference!

brushing one of the 3 layers  of phyllo

folding into triangles

placing toppings on phyllo

finished product

I hope you enjoy the final product of this recipe as much as my family did! Be on the look out soon for a couple of great recipe ideas for a valentine's lunch/dinner that not only you will love, but that is also kid friendly! Until then, remember that eating healthy (with yes...your occasional "treat" meals such as this super bowl inspired meal made on the healthier side) doesn't have to mean eating boring...take a stand today and make being healthy a lifetime habit!